"Sarai" destroyed houses and crops, brought down trees, cut power and caused considerable flooding in low-lying areas. (@ThePaleoShack)

Two people have died and another is in a critical condition as Tropical Cyclone “Sarai” continues to hurl heavy rain and wind across Fiji.

More than 2,000 people have taken refuge from the category two storm at evacuation centers in the Pacific nation.

Vasiti Soko, director of Fiji’s National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), told reporters at 8:00 p.m. (local time) that an 18-year-old student drowned after being swept away by strong currents while swimming in waters on the southern island of Kadavu.

Soko also confirmed that another unidentified man earlier reported as missing, was swept away by strong currents while attempting to cross a flooded road in Vunidawa, Naitasiri province, located on Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu.

The last update from the NDMO said 2,121 people were in 55 evacuation centers across the country.

The cyclone has not been forecast to make landfall, but is expected to be within 90 kilometers of Kadavu Island by 1 a.m. Sunday.

It added that Kadavu, Vatulele and Matuku should also expect sea flooding at high tide, periods of heavy rain, and sudden thunderstorms.

Residents of Viti Levu and nearby smaller islands — including the Lau group —have been warned to expect heavy winds of up to 85 kilometers per hour with momentary gusts of 110 kph, along with high seas and “periods” of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

A family from New Zealand posted this photo of the Fiji resort they are staying in. (Twitter)

Sarai is expected to leave Fiji’s area of responsibility by New Year’s Day, moving on to Tonga later on Wednesday.

Tonga’s Meteorological Service has forecast that Sarai will hit the kingdom’s northern Vava’u island group by Thursday. (abc.net.au)