The Nadi Weather Office says the centre of Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa is still over Bua and the whole category 5 cyclone is expected to cross Vanua Levu over a 3 to 6 hour period.
The centre of the system will go over Nasau and exit Sawani in Vanua Levu.
Acting Director, Terry Atalifo says very destructive winds are being felt from Bua to Savusavu in Vanua Levu.
Close to its centre the cyclone has very destructive winds of up to 240 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts to 345 kilometres per hour.
The cyclone continues to move South East now at about 18 kilometres per hour.
On this track, at 11pm tonight the cyclone centre is expected to be located about 130 kilometres North East of Suva.
At 11am tomorrow, the centre of Yasa is expected to be about 80 kilometres east of Moala or about 230 kilometres East of Suva.
Destructive winds are likely to begin several hours before the cyclone centre passes overhead or nearby.
[Source: Fiji Meteorological Services/ Facebook]
A hurricane warning remains in force for Vanua Levu and nearby smaller islands including Yadua, Galoa, Kia and Mali, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Matuku, Moala, Totoya and Lomaiviti group and is now in force for Yacata, Cicia, Nayau, Lakeba, Oneata, Vanuavatu, Moce, Kabara, Namuka-i-Lau, Fulaga and Ogea. A storm warning is now in force for Yasawa group, Northern and Eastern half of Viti Levu (from Tavua to Rakiraki to Korovou, through to Suva to Navua) and Cikobia.
A gale warning remains in force for Mamanuca group, the rest of Viti Levu, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands and the rest of Lau group.
A storm surge and damaging heavy swell warning remain in force for coastal waters of Rotuma, Yasawa and Mamanuca group, Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and nearby smaller islands, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lomaiviti and Lau group.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for the whole of Fiji.
A severe flood warning is in force for low lying areas and areas adjacent to Vatukacevaceva and downstream of Rakiraki Town.
A flash flood warning remains in force for the low lying areas and areas adjacent to small streams for Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, areas adjacent to Dreketilailai to Qawa River, low lying areas and areas adjacent to Bagata River in Savusavu.
A flash flood alert remain in force for low lying areas and areas adjacent to major rivers for Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
For Vanua Levu and nearby smaller islands, Yacata, Cicia, Nayau, Lakeba, Oneata, Vanuavatu, Moce, Kabara, Namuka-i-Lau, Fulaga and Ogea - expect very destructive hurricane force winds upto 240 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts of upto 345 kilometres per hour, periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms, flash flooding of low lying areas expected, landslides likely especially with continuous heavy falls, phenomenal seas and damaging heavy swells.
Storm surge with sea flooding of low lying coastal areas expected during high tides, with storm surge heights up to 3 metres expected along the coast when the cyclone centre passes nearby.
For Yasawa group, Northern and Eastern half of Viti Levu (from Tavua to Rakiraki to Korovou, through to Suva to Navua) and Cikobia, Mamanuca group, the rest of Viti Levu - expect destructive storm force winds upto 110 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts of up to 155 kilometres per hour.
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We are getting reports that five families are currently sheltering underneath the floor of a house in Nasarawaqa, Bua after their homes got blown away.
The incident is believed to have occurred about an hour ago.
According to reports these people cannot call for help as their phones have been soaked in water.
We are also getting reports that some families are sheltering under beds as their roofs have been blown away in Tabia.
The President of the Labasa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Satish Kumar says they are facing a very scary situation at the moment.
He says it is entirely dark as there is no electricity and all they can do is sit together as a family and hope for the best.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
