SUVA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least four to six cyclones are likely to form in the Pacific region during the upcoming cyclone season, which will last from next month to April next year.
Four to six tropical cyclones are likely to occur within the Area of Responsibility (AoR) in the 2017/18 season, with three to five predicted to reach Category 3 or above status, the Fiji Meteorological and Hydrological Service said in its annual Tropical Cyclone Seasonal Outlook for the 2017/18 Season on Wednesday.
For Fiji, one to two tropical cyclones are predicted to pass through Fiji waters this season with one anticipated to reach Category 3 or above status.
The South Pacific island state should remain alert and get prepared at all times throughout the season as these are predictions based on statistical and scientific evidence, the report said.
In February last year, category 5 Tropical Cyclone Winston, one of the most severe ever recorded in the South Pacific, hit Fiji.
The Fijian government declared a state of natural disaster for 60 days and officially requested international assistance.
Nearly 350,000 people were affected by the cyclone with at least 20 people being killed.
The 2017/18 tropical cyclone season in the Pacific region begins on Nov. 1 and ends on April 30, 2018, with its peak period usually being from January to March.
