Tropical Cyclone Vaianu has intensified into a Category 2 cyclone and is moving southwest, and according to the Meteorological Service, the centre of the system will not directly affect Fiji as it is forecasted to pass over waters between Fiji and Vanuatu.
TC Vaianu was located at 580 kilometres west-northwest of Yasawa-i-Rara and was moving south-southeast at 9 kilometres per hour at 4am this morning.
The Nadi Weather Office says TC Vaianu has a wind speed of around 45 kilometres per hour, with gusts of up to 70 kilometres per hour.
The Weather Office says it is expected to intensify to 60 kilometres per hour, with gusts of up to 80 kilometres per hour.
They say weather conditions are expected to ease from later Wednesday into Thursday.
It says even though the centre of TC Vaianu will remain over open waters, rain and strong north to northwesterly winds will continue our way.
Meanwhile, a Heavy Rain Warning and a Flash Flood Alert remain in force for the whole of Fiji.A Strong Wind Warning remains in force for the Northern Division, Yasawa and Mamanuca group, the western half of Viti Levu from Sigatoka, along the Coral Coast, through Nadi to Rakiraki, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.
A Strong Wind Alert is now in force for the rest of the country.
Possible impacts include flooding of drainage systems, small streams, low water bridges, Irish crossings, roads and properties in low-lying areas.
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