The Nadi Weather Office says the centre of Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa is currently 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, and as the cyclone moves down further, Suva to Nausori areas will start getting destructive winds.
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 remains 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 remains 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 upto 155 kilometres per hour.
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Residents of Savusavu are currently experiencing damaging winds and heavy rain.
Avishek Ram who stays in Korovesi Sunshine Villas in Savusavu says they can see flying branches and trees.
He also the damaging winds are also intensifying.
4,000 people are currently sheltering in 73 evacuation centres in the province of Ra.
This has been confirmed to fijivillage by the Ra Provincial Administrator Elimi Rokoduru who says they restricted movement from earlier on in the day as there was widespread flooding experienced.
Rokoduru says these are people who are residing at the Naqoro Flats, the road to Vatukacevaceva, road to FSC and in some other villages in the province of Ra.
He says they are currently experiencing strong winds and heavy rain.
People in Labasa says the winds are getting much stronger.
A resident, Ronil Lal says the weather is getting really bad with small trees being uprooted and objects flying.
Lal says they started to experience strong winds at around 4pm.
Sanjay Nand of Tabia, Labasa says they are experiencing heavy rain and strong winds.
Nand says he has also seen some power poles shaking and trees being uprooted.
Seaqaqa resident Mohammed Ziahaul Khan says they are now experiencing destructive winds.
He says on a scale of 1 to 10, the strength of the winds would be at a 9.
Khan says they are lucky as they live in the town area because low lying areas in Seaqaqa are already flooded due to continuous rain all afternoon.
Very destructive winds are now being felt in the islands across Yasawa and there has already been damage to houses in one village.
In Nasoqo village on the island of Naviti, seawater has started to enter the village compound.
Villager Waisea Stark says crops and trees have been uprooted and the roofs of some houses have been blown away but they will be able to get a much clearer picture of the situation when it is safe.
Mass evacuation was also carried out at Gunu village on Naviti Island.
Gunu villager, Anare Tiko says they moved to Gaunavou Primary School this morning and all the families residing in the school are surviving by sharing whatever they have.
50 villagers in Dama, Bua evacuated
More than 50 villagers in Dama, Bua have moved to their village Hall as they brace for the worst TC Yasa can bring.
Villager Viliame Vakacere says about 20 families have left their homes and moved to safety while 8 are still in their secured houses.
Vakacere says they have been preparing since Monday.
People in Navua have started experiencing strong winds.
Dhiren Chand who is the Advisory Councillor of Nasasa, Navua says they have been experiencing strong winds and at times heavy rain since 11 o’çlock this morning.
Chand says they are expecting winds to get much stronger later today.
The Fiji Roads Authority says Kings Highway is closed at Rakiraki Flats.
The road there is flooded and it is inaccessible.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
