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Severe Tropical Cyclone Ana

Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Cyclone Ana south of Fiji on January 31
Formed	January 26, 2021
Dissipated	February 1, 2021
Highest winds	10-minute sustained: 120 km/h (75 mph) 1-minute sustained: 120 km/h (75 mph)
Lowest pressure	970 hPa (mbar); 28.64 inHg
Fatalities	1 total, 5 missing
Damage	Unknown
Areas affected	Fiji
Part of the 2020–21 South Pacific cyclone season

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ana is a currently active tropical cyclone which recently made landfall in Fiji. The fifth tropical depression, third tropical cyclone, and second severe tropical cyclone of the 2020–21 South Pacific cyclone season, Ana originated from a tropical disturbance to the east of Vanuatu on January 26. The disturbance slowly meandered to the east before strengthening to Tropical Cyclone Ana on January 29. Shortly before landfall, the storm strengthened to a Category 2 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale and while inland to a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone.

Meteorological history

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (February 2021)

During January 26, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) reported that Tropical Disturbance 05F had developed within the South Pacific convergence zone about 220 km (135 mi) to the northeast of Port Villa in Vanuatu. During that day, the system moved eastwards and developed into a tropical depression, within an area of low to moderate vertical wind shear. Over the next couple of days, the system moved eastwards and gradually developed further, as atmospheric convection started to wrap into the systems low level circulation center. During January 29, the FMS reported that the depression had developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale and named it Ana. At this time, the system was located about 350 km (215 mi) to the northwest of Nadi in Fiji and had started to be steered south-southeastwards towards Fiji.

Preparations and impact

In Fiji, the Fiji Meteorological Service put a Tropical Cyclone Alert in effect for Vanua Levu, Yasawa, and Mamanuca, as well as smaller nearby islands. A Strong Wind Warning was ordered for northern Viti Levu, while a Gale Warning was put in place for Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and Lau. Meanwhile, Heavy Rain Warnings and Alerts were issued for portions of the country. With the threat of heavy rainfall, a Flood Warning was issued for low lying areas and small streams along the Qawa River, with Flash Flood Alerts for Vanua Levu and for Viti Levu from the towns of Ba to Rakiraki. All schools in Fiji were closed as a precaution on January 29, with teachers asked to help prepare classrooms as evacuation centers if needed. A nightly curfew was ordered between January 29–31. More than 2,000 residents evacuated to shelters across Fiji.

Heavy precipitation associated with the depression hit Fiji as early as January 28, causing flooding in Rakiraki. On January 29, the Nadi River overflowed its banks due to heavy rainfall, flooding parts of Nadi. Footage from Ba showed severe flooding in parts of the town. Extensive damage following landfall was reported in the majority of Viti Levu, especially the capital Suva which was directly hit, with 5 people (including a three year-old boy) reportedly missing. Rivers across Fiji quickly became overflown while landslides destroyed what remained of some homes. Power outages became widespread across the nation and a 49 year-old man was confirmed dead from drowning in floodwaters. An additional 7,600 people were evacuated to evacuation centers during the storm in similar regions to which were devastated by Category 5 Cyclone Yasa a month prior.

See also

• Tropical cyclones in 2021
• Cyclone Winston

References

1. Tropical Disturbance Summary January 26, 2021 09z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. January 26, 2021. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020. {{cite report}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; January 30, 2021 suggested (help)
2. Tropical Cyclone 15P Warning January 30, 2021 03z (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. January 30, 2021. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
3. Tropical Disturbance Summary January 26, 2021 21z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. January 26, 2021. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
4. "Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert January 28, 2021 15z". United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. January 28, 2021. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
5. Tropical Disturbance Advisory January 29, 2021 21z (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. January 29, 2021. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021. {{cite report}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; February 1, 2021 suggested (help)
6. Vijay Nayaran (January 28, 2021). "A Tropical Cyclone Alert is now in force for parts of Fiji". FijiVillage. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
7. Huaxia (January 28, 2021). "Fijians warned of tropical depression developing into cyclone in coming days". Xinhua. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
8. Talebula Kate (January 29, 2021). "New curfew hours announced by NDMO". The Fiji Times. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
9. "TC Ana is region's first cyclone for 2021". Loop PNG. January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
10. Storyful (January 28, 2021). "Tropical Depression Brings Flooding to Fiji". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
11. "Nadi River bursts its bank". FijiVillage. January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
12. Jope Matavesi (January 29, 2021). "Tropical Cyclone Warning Issued as Heavy Flooding Hits Fiji". Yahoo! News, Storyful. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
13. "Powerful Winds Hit Suva as Tropical Cyclone Ana Makes Landfall in Fiji | The Australian". Retrieved January 31, 2021.
14. ^ "Tropical cyclone Ana causes extensive damages to Fiji". Business Insider. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
15. "One dead, five missing in Fiji after Cyclone Ana | News | POST Online Media". www.poandpo.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
16. "The fury of Storm Ana over the South Pacific". L'Unione Sarda.it. January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.

External links

• World Meteorological Organization
• Australian Bureau of Meteorology
• Fiji Meteorological Service
• New Zealand MetService
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center

v t e Tropical cyclones of the 2020–21 South Pacific cyclone season
	TD01F 5Yasa 2Zazu TD04F 3Ana TD06F 1Bina 2Lucas TD09F DI10F DI11F 5Niran TD13F
Category

• Category 3 South Pacific cyclones
• Tropical cyclones in Fiji
• Tropical cyclones in 2021
• 2021 in Fiji