Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — While Tropical Cyclone Sarai moves slowly away from Fiji, it is leaving behind damage to homes, crops and some infrastructure across the Fiji group.

Closer to home, an active monsoonal trough to the northwest of the islands will bring damaging winds on Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon. The monsoonal trough is slowly intensifying while moving closer to the islands. Thunderstorms and gusty winds are embedded within the active monsoonal trough.

Northwest winds 30 to 40 mph with higher gusts.

IMPACTS — Strongest winds will occur in the downslope areas, such as the Harbor and mountain valleys. Lightweight and unsecured items, should be tied down or taken in doors.

Power lines may be downed and trees may be uprooted.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTION

A high wind warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 MPH or gusts of 58 MPH or more can lead to property damage.

The public is reminded to take precautionary and preparedness actions. The public is also advised to drive your vehicles with caution along affected coastal shoreline areas.

Heavy rainfall and runoffs may cause small streams to overflow, resulting in flooding of low lying areas and roadways. Mud and landslides are also possible along steep slopes and mountainous areas as grounds become saturated. The public is advised to take necessary precautions when driving due to hazardous conditions and flooded roadways.

TROPICAL CYCLONE SARAI

The category two storm battered Fiji's southern Lau group Sunday night - winds of up to 170 km/hr.

Two people have died during Sarai in Fiji, where the body of a man was found after he went missing in a river during the storm, and another drowned while swimming.

A third person has been hospitalised after being hit by a falling tree.

More than 2000 people remain in the 54 evacuation centres.

Many people across parts of the Central, Western and Northern Divisions have been without power supply since Friday night.

Energy Fiji chief executive Hasmukh Patel has said full restoration to all areas in Viti Levu, the main island, could take up to one week.

Inspectors needed to check over 10,500 kilometres of power network and over 102,000 concrete and wooden poles, which includes steel towers in Viti Levu in order to energise the entire power network in Viti Levu.

Fiji Village reports Energy Fiji said teams started inspections on Friday but it is was slowed down by the wind and rain.

Storm warnings remain in force for islands in Fiji's south as Cyclone Sarai continues on its easterly path - heading towards Tonga.

The storm remains a category two, but forecasters predict it will weaken later today as it enters Tongan waters.

It's still bringing momentary gusts of up to 130 km/hr.