Tropical cyclone Lili, located over East Timor, is losing intensity but is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds over the next 24 hours, especially in the southern part of the country, officials said.
Updated information provided by East Timorese MeteoClima meteorologists (TLMC), in cooperation with the National Directorate of Meteorology and Geophysics (DNMG), reports that the cyclone has been moving southwest.
Forecast and Expected Conditions
Weather models indicate that Lili will move toward land within the next six hours, continuing to gradually lose intensity until it dissipates along the southern coast.
Before dissipating, the cyclone is forecast to produce:
- Average wind gusts of 75 km/h, with bursts of up to 100 km/h
- Rainfall of 100–150 mm over the next 24 hours
Road Damage and Flooding
The cyclone, which began as a tropical storm, has already caused damage to several roads, particularly in the eastern part of the country.
- Laga area (south of Baucau): Rainfall raised river levels significantly, causing major damage to a road and making passage difficult.
- Ira Bere bridge (Irabiri river, Viqueque–Lautem border): Rain destroyed one of the bridge’s access roads near the south coast.
- Lospalos–Dili main link (Lautem administrative post): Mud and rain are conditioning traffic, particularly for passenger coaches.
- Road near Lospalos: Heavy rain caused a flood that forced authorities to cut vehicle passage.
- Fui Luro zone (Lospalos): Residents reported very strong winds and heavy rains, with flooding threatening a local bridge.
- Viqueque–Beaço connection (southern coast): The route was affected and a truck became stuck in a swollen stream.
About Timor Leste MeteoClima
Timor Leste MeteoClima (TLMC) is an organisation founded by a group of East Timorese meteorologists who graduated from Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) in São Paulo, Brazil, working in cooperation with the National Directorate of Meteorology and Geophysics (DNMG).