The Fiji Meteorological Service says Severe Tropical Cyclone Vaianu, currently a Category 3 system, continues to affect the country with strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas. In its 7:30pm bulletin, the system was located about 255 kilometres west-southwest of Nadi and 300 kilometres west of Kadavu at 6pm. The cyclone is moving south-southeast at around 18 kilometres per hour and is expected to move further away from the group by tomorrow evening. Forecasters say winds are expected to gradually ease from the west late tomorrow. Meanwhile, strong to near gale force northerly winds of up to 60 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching 95 kilometres per hour, are expected over the Northern Division, Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, the western half of Viti Levu from Sigatoka through Nadi to Rakiraki, as well as Kadavu and nearby islands. Elsewhere, strong northerly winds of up to 45 kilometres per hour, with gusts...

A heavy rain warning remains in force for the entire Fiji group as Severe Tropical Cyclone Vaianu continues to move southeast of the country. The Fiji Meteorological Service, in its latest special weather bulletin issued at 10.30am today from Nadi, said the Category 3 system was located about 240 kilometres west of Viwa and 290 kilometres west of Nadi at 9am. The cyclone is moving southeast at around 18km/h and is expected to lie about 210 kilometres south-southwest of Kadavu or 300 kilometres south of Nadi by 9am tomorrow. Forecasters say occasional to periods of rain, heavy at times, along with thunderstorms, are expected across the Fiji group, with forecast confidence rated moderate to high. Authorities have warned that intense rainfall could trigger flash flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas, including informal settlements, businesses and Irish crossings, leading to traffic disruptions. Surface flooding is also likely in urban areas with...

A heavy rain warning remains in force for the entire Fiji group as Severe Tropical Cyclone Vaianu intensifies to a Category 3 system. The Fiji Meteorological Service, in its latest special weather bulletin issued from Nadi tonight, said the cyclone was located about 460 kilometres west of Yasawa-i-Rara and 480 kilometres west-northwest of Nadi at 6pm. The system is currently moving southeast at around 8km/h and is expected to lie about 320 kilometres west of Nadi or 330 kilometres west-southwest of Yasawa-i-Rara by 6pm tomorrow. Forecasters say occasional to periods of rain, heavy at times, along with thunderstorms are expected across the country, with forecast confidence rated moderate to high. Authorities have warned that intense rainfall could trigger flash flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas, including informal settlements, as well as Irish crossings, which may lead to traffic disruptions. Surface flooding is also expected in urban areas with poor drainage,...

There has been no significant change in the latest evening weather bulletin, with forecasters maintaining earlier warnings as Tropical Cyclone Vaianu continues to influence Fiji’s weather. The National Weather Forecasting Centre confirmed that a heavy rain warning, flash flood alert and strong wind warning remain in force across the country. Tropical Cyclone Vaianu, a Category 2 system, was located west-northwest of Fiji earlier today and continues to move southeast at about 10km/h. Its associated rain bands are already affecting the group and are expected to persist over the next few days. For affected areas including the Northern Division, Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, western Viti Levu, and Kadavu, strong winds of up to 45km/h with higher gusts are expected to intensify from tomorrow, reaching up to 60km/h with gusts of 90km/h. Seas are forecast to remain rough to very rough, with unsettled conditions expected to continue nationwide. RPT

The latest forecast track map released by the Fiji Meteorological Service shows Tropical Cyclone Vaianu strengthening as it tracks near Fiji waters. Fiji Met indicates the system was a Category 2 cyclone at midday today and is expected to remain at that intensity until around midnight as it approaches waters west of the Yasawa and Mamanuca groups. The cyclone is forecast to intensify further to a Category 3 system early tomorrow morning, with its closest point to the Fiji group expected around midday tomorrow. Despite the strengthening system, the centre of the cyclone is projected to remain west of the main islands as it tracks southwards. However, forecasters warn that associated rainbands and strong winds will continue to affect parts of the country. Heavy rain and strong wind warnings remain in force, with the public urged to remain alert and take necessary precautions as the system develops. RPT