SYDNEY, April 6 (Bernama-dpa) -- Authorities in Fiji warned of heavy rain, flooding and strong winds as rapidly intensifying Tropical Cyclone Vaianu strengthened into a Category 2 cyclone, prompting precautionary closures of schools and universities nationwide, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
The country's meteorological service said on Monday the storm could intensify further by Tuesday, with forecasters expecting it to reach Category 3 strength.
Officials said it was unlikely the cyclone would make direct landfall, with current projections showing it tracking between Fiji and neighbouring Vanuatu over open waters.
Education Minister Aseri Radrodro urged parents to keep a close watch on their children and warned against attempting to cross flooded rivers or roads.
Authorities also advised residents to avoid swimming in rivers or the sea and cautioned about the risk of flash floods, particularly in low-lying and densely populated areas.
As of Monday morning, the storm's centre was located about 530 kilometres north-west of the Yasawa island group and was moving slowly south-east.
Fiji, a nation of about one million people located north of New Zealand and east of Australia, is made up of more than 300 islands and is a popular tourist destination.
-- BERNAMA-dpa
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