Before the emergence of cyclones like Winston, there were significant storms known as Nina and Kina. On January 1, 1993, The Fiji Times reported that Cyclone Kina was situated around 470 kilometers northwest of Nadi and had not moved since the previous Tuesday. At the same time, Cyclone Nina was moving eastward from the Gulf of Carpentaria towards Kina.
Rajendra Prasad, acting director of Meteorology, expressed uncertainty regarding the potential interaction between the two cyclones. He explained that while the specific effects of Cyclone Nina on Kina were unknown, one cyclone would eventually dominate, preventing them from merging. Prasad noted, “Cyclone Nina is slightly less intense than Kina but it was expected to intensify. It is a fairly complicated situation.”
If Cyclone Nina maintained its eastward path, it was thought that Kina would shift between easterly and southerly directions. Prasad indicated that Kina might continue to be slow-moving until Nina approached closely enough to alter its trajectory. Despite Cyclone Nina’s lower intensity compared to Kina, it was projected to gain strength.
Kina was observed to have hurricane-force winds, with maximum sustained speeds of 75 knots and gusts reaching 110 knots. Satellite imagery highlighted disorganized cloud formations and an indistinct eye for the cyclone. Fiji was under a cyclone alert, although officials believed the country would not experience direct impacts in the near term.
In preparation, residents in the western part of Fiji began securing their properties. Blue Lagoon Cruises suspended operations for safety, while Nadi Airport continued to operate normally. The Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji confirmed that safety protocols were in effect. Resorts in the Yasawas and Mamanucas were boarding up facilities, and tourists were being relocated to the mainland to catch international flights.
In Lautoka, the Disaster Management Services Committee (DISMEC) convened to discuss the situation. Additionally, it was reported that new weather and wind radar systems, funded by Australia, would not be installed prior to the 1993-94 financial year. An Australian team was scheduled to visit Nadi the following month to evaluate needs and potential locations for the equipment. The government also planned to establish a new weather station in Nadi.