 Cyclone Ana south of Fiji on January 31, along with Cyclone Bina to its northwest | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | January 26, 2021 |
| Subtropical | February 1, 2021 |
| Dissipated | February 5, 2021 |
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (FMS) | |
| Highest winds | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 970hPa (mbar); 28.64 inHg |
| Category 1-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 975hPa (mbar); 28.79 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1 total |
| Missing | 4 |
| Damage | >$10 million (2021USD) |
| Areas affected | Fiji |
Part of the2020–21 South Pacific cyclone season | |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ana was one of three tropical cyclones to impact the island nation ofFiji towards the end of January 2021. The fifth tropical disturbance, third tropical cyclone and second severe tropical cyclone of the2020–21 South Pacific cyclone season, Ana was first noted as Tropical Disturbance 05F during January 26, while it was located about 220 km (135 mi) to the northeast ofPort Vila inVanuatu. Over the next few days, the system moved eastwards and gradually developed further, before it was declared to be a tropical cyclone and named Ana during January 29. Over the next day, the system moved south-eastwards towards Fiji before it made landfall on the island of Viti Levu. After emerging into the Pacific Ocean, the system intensified into aCategory 3 severe tropical cyclone, before it rapidly degenerated into a subtropical low during February 1.
AON Benfield estimates Ana caused "Tens of million" dollar in damage acrossFiji.[1] Due to its onslaught, the nameAna was retired from the naming list and was replaced byAru.[2]
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionDuring January 26, theFiji Meteorological Service (FMS) reported that Tropical Disturbance 05F had developed within theSouth Pacific convergence zone about 220 km (135 mi) to the northeast ofPort Vila inVanuatu.[3][4] During that day, the system moved eastwards and developed into a tropical depression, within an area of low to moderate verticalwind shear.[5] Over the next couple of days, the system moved eastwards and gradually developed further, asatmospheric convection started to wrap into the systems low level circulation center.[6] During January 29, the FMS reported that the depression had developed into aCategory 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale and named it Ana.[7][8] 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, by a ridge of high pressure to the northeast of the system.[8] The United StatesJoint Typhoon Warning Center subsequently initiated advisories, on the newly named system and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 15P.[4]
During January 30, Ana continued to move south-southeastwards and passed through the northernYasawa Islands into theBligh Waters, where it became slow-moving and intensified into acategory 2 tropical cyclone.[9] The system subsequently continued to develop with aneye feature appearing on both radar and microwave imagery, before it made landfall onViti Levu nearRakiraki at around 18:00 UTC (06:00 FST, January 31).[9][10][11] While located over Viti Levu, Ana moved south-southeastwards over theCentral Division, where it passed in betweenNavua and Fiji's capital city:Suva.[9] The JTWC subsequently reported that the system had peaked with 1-minute sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph), which made it equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane on theSaffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.[12] During January 31, Ana emerged into the Kadavu Passage and passed near or overKadavu, before the FMS reported that the system had peaked as aCategory 3 severe tropical cyclone, with 10-minute sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph).[12][13] During February 1, the system rapidly weakened into a subtropical low, as its low-level circulation center became exposed and moved south-eastwards into an area of high vertical wind shear.[14][15][16] Over the next few days, Ana moved south-eastwards over the South Pacific Ocean as a subtropical low, before it was last noted during February 3.[12]
During January 27, the FMS issued a gale alert as well as a heavy rain warning for Vanua Levu, Taveuni, the Yasawa Group and Lau Islands, while strong wind warnings and a flash flood alert were already in force.[17] Later that day after Tropical Depression 06F had developed over Lau Province, these alerts and warnings were expanded to include a tropical cyclone alert for the whole of Fiji and a gale wind warning for Vanua Levu, Taveuni and the Lau Islands.[18]
InFiji, the put a Tropical Cyclone Alert in effect forVanua Levu,Yasawa, andMamanuca, as well as smaller nearby islands. A Strong Wind Warning was ordered for northernViti Levu, while a Gale Warning was put in place for Vanua Levu,Taveuni, andLau. 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 theQawa River, with Flash Flood Alerts for Vanua Levu and for Viti Levu from the towns ofBa toRakiraki.[19] All schools in Fiji were closed as a precaution on January 29, with teachers asked to help prepare classrooms as evacuation centers if needed.[20] A nightly curfew was ordered between January 29–31.[21] More than 2,000 residents evacuated to shelters across Fiji.[22]
Heavy precipitation associated with the depression hit Fiji as early as January 28, causing flooding in Rakiraki.[23] On January 29, theNadi River overflowed its banks due to heavy rainfall, flooding parts ofNadi.[24] Footage from Ba showed severe flooding in parts of the town.[25] Extensive damage following landfall was reported in the majority ofViti Levu, especially the capitalSuva which was directly hit,[26] with 5 people (including a three-year-old boy) reportedly missing.[27] Rivers across Fiji quickly became overflown while landslides destroyed what remained of some homes.[27] Power outages became widespread across the nation and a 49-year-old man was confirmed dead from drowning in floodwaters.[28] An additional 7,600 people were evacuated to evacuation centers during the storm in similar regions to which were devastated by Category 5Cyclone Yasa a month prior.[29] Schools were reopened on February 8 except for thenorthern division which was scheduled to open a week later.[30] In the aftermath, a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) C-130 Hercules delivered emergency supplies to the district of Nadi. One million kits were delivered to assist affected families, including hygiene kits, mother and infant kits, water containers, water pumps, purification tablets and tarpaulins.[31]
Tropical cyclones of the2020–21 South Pacific cyclone season | ||
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