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RSMC Nadi Tropical Cyclone Warning Center
An update at 8:30 am Wednesday showing TC Yasa’s forecast trajectory through central Fiji.
Fiji is bracing for “very destructive winds” and widespread flooding as Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Yasa heads toward the center of the island group.
The latest update from the Fiji Weather Service puts the average wind speed on Thursday at 165km with gusts up to 230km / h.
“These winds can cause widespread destruction of property and infrastructure, serious interruptions to communication services and electrical power distribution. It can also cause total damage to crops and vegetation, ”said Fiji Met Service.
Intense and continuous rains were expected, with the risk of flooding of rivers and flooding of low-lying areas. With the soil already saturated, there was a risk of landslides.
earth.nullschool.net
This visualization from earth.nullschool.net indicates the surface wind speeds on Wednesday morning. TC Yasa is the area of intense activity on the left at the top.
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“As TC Yasa approaches the group, high waves of possibly more than 6 meters are expected, posing the risk of storm surge and coastal flooding along the coast of Fiji.”
A forecast tracking map shows the center of the cyclone passing through the gap between the main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Conditions are not expected to begin to improve until Sunday.
In a broadcast to the country, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama urged communities to use the time before the arrival of the cyclone to prune tree limbs, clean drains, plug houses, prepare emergency kits and confirm the location of the evacuation center more near.
“As we see flooding across the country, everyone should stay away from flooding, especially children,” Bainimarama said. “These waters are deadly, unpredictable and can carry debris that can maim or kill.”
He urged the fishermen to stay on shore. “This is not the time to test your skills in the sea … No fish is worth the risk.”
There is a second tropical cyclone, called Zazu, in the southwest Pacific. Tuesday brought heavy rain, high seas and high winds to Tonga, and on Wednesday morning it moved away to the southeast as a Category 1 event.
In New Zealand, MetService said none of its models so far showed remnants of cyclones reaching this country, and one model shows that the North Island is dominated by a high pressure ridge well into next week.
