Cyclone Yasa: Powerful storm to make landfall, Fijians said to expect widespread destruction

Tropical Cyclone Yasa is closing in on Fiji as the island nation prepares for a catastrophic storm that will bring massive waves, widespread flooding and destructive winds.

The National Emergency Operations Center has been activated before the Category 5 tropical cyclone makes landfall to coordinate the Fijian government response and relief efforts.

Low-lying evacuations have already taken place and all non-essential government workers have been told to stay home during the cyclone’s height.

Heavy rains and heavy thunderstorms rumble overhead as the region’s first tropical cyclone threatens to wreak havoc.

All public transportation has been stopped because the storm, with fierce 260 km / h winds, is expected to hit the islands along with severe coastal flooding.

An Air New Zealand flight from Nadi to Auckland has been canceled due to adverse conditions.

The disaster management office says coastal dwellers should expect storm surge with waves of up to 16 meters.

People were warned to secure their homes and put away objects that could be blown away by high winds or carried away by floods or storm surge.

The Fiji Weather Service issued a damaging heavy swell warning for Rotuma, Yasawa and the Mamanuca Group, Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and the smaller islands nearby.

Aid agencies are preparing for a disaster and urging people to take precautions to stay safe.

The Fiji Metservice said the slow-moving storm traveling at about 11 km / h was expected to hit about 320 km south-southwest of Rotuma at 3 a.m.

The height of the waves was expected to grow to seven meters this morning with winds increasing throughout the day.

He said the gales were expected to hit starting at 3 am and to increase further to reach “very destructive hurricane winds” at 3 pm.

The Weather Service warned on Friday that all of Fiji is expected to experience stronger and more widespread damaging winds or torrential rains leading to landslides, severe flooding and river flurries, storm surge, damaging heavy storm surge and high waves causing flooding in areas. coastal.

He warned that widespread destruction is likely, with the strongest winds reserved for several hours on either side when the center of the cyclone passes above or near.

At 9 a.m. on Friday, the cyclone was expected to be located about 65 kilometers east-northeast of Yasawa-iRara, about 160 kilometers northeast of Nadi and about 460 kilometers south-southeast of Rotuma.