Fiji Braces for Severe Cat 5 Tropical Cyclone Yasa

As Samoa and Tonga are spared from Tropical Cyclone Zazu now weakening and moving further South, evacuations are underway in Fiji as the country braces for the second Category 5 storm to hit its shores this year.

Tropical Cyclone Yasa is moving slowly, according to Fiji’s meteorological office, at about 8km/h, but gathering in strength.

The forecast path shown above is Nadi’s best estimate of the cyclone’s future movement and intensity.

Acting director of the Nadi weather office, Terry Atalifo says “the system is more than 400km across, and damaging rain and winds are expected for days”.

Tropical Cyclone Yasa is expected to make landfall over Fiji on Thursday or early Friday and Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has urged all Fijians to prepare evacuation plans.

“Every Fijian should prepare now for heavy rain, damaging winds, coastal inundation and flooding across the country,” he said in a national address.