UPDATE 2-Fiji declares state of natural disaster as powerful cyclone hits Reuters 12/17/2020
(Updates to say cyclone has made contact, adds witness quote)
By Byron Kaye and Colin Packham
SYDNEY, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Fiji ordered its entire population to take shelter on Thursday in the path of what is expected to be the worst storm in its recorded history.
Cyclone Yasa, a top category five storm expected to bring winds of up to 250 km per hour (155 miles per hour) and torrential rain, made landfall over Bua province on the northern island of Vanua Levu at about 6 p.m. local time (0600 GMT).
Fiji braces for flooding, huge waves as Cat 5 Cyclone Yasa approaches trtworld.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from trtworld.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Fiji Declares State of Emergency Over Approaching Tropical Cyclone Yasa Thu 17th December 2020 | 02:14 PM
The Fiji National Disaster Management Office announced on Thursday that a state of natural disaster was declared in the country over the approaching tropical cyclone Yasa, which reached the most dangerous fifth category
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th December, 2020) The Fiji National Disaster Management Office announced on Thursday that a state of natural disaster was declared in the country over the approaching tropical cyclone Yasa, which reached the most dangerous fifth category. A state of Natural Disaster has been declared for all of Fiji as Tropical Cyclone Yasa (Category 5) is expected to make landfall on Vanua Levu this evening, the agency said in a press release.
MetService Fiji says close to the centre of the cyclone is expected to have winds of up to 240km/h, with wind gusts to 345km/h. Waves up to 16 metres high are also expected as the cyclone makes its way through the country.
By 8am on Friday, the centre of Cyclone Yasa is expected to be 50km northeast of Moala Island or about 165km east of Suva, Fiji s capital.
MetService Fiji warns residents to expect periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms. There s also a risk of flash flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas, and landslides are likely with continuous heavy rain.
Cyclone Yasa: State of natural disaster declared as category 5 cyclone heads for Fiji stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.