![Tropical Cyclone Warning Number 48 issued 1605 UTC Thursday 17 December 2020. [Image: Fiji Meteorological Services]](https://www.fijivillage.com/news_images/8186233885fdb8b7fc05a2607e4095.jpg)
The centre of Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa is now located about 60 kilometres South-East of Labasa and continues to move in a southeasterly direction as it goes over the Koro Sea and over Southern Lau.
Close to its centre the cyclone is expected to have average winds up to 220 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts to 315 kilometres per hour.
The cyclone is moving South East at about 18 kilometres per hour.
Viti Levu, Yasawa and Mamanuca group, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Yadua, Galoa, Kia and Mali are now only under a gale warning.
A hurricane warning remains in force for Eastern half of Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Koro, Yacata, Cicia, Nayau, Vanuabalavu, Lakeba, Oneata, Vanuavatu, Moce, Kabara, Namuka-i-Lau, Ogea, Vatoa and Ono-i-Lau.
A storm warning remains in force for the western half of Vanua Levu, Cikobia, Matuku, Moala and Totoya and rest of Lomaiviti group.
A storm surge and damaging heavy swell warning remain in force for coastal waters of Rotuma, Eastern coast of Viti Levu, Southern coast of Vanua Levu and nearby smaller islands, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lomaiviti and Lau group.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for the interior and Eastern parts of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lomaiviti and Lau group.
A flood warning remains in force major rivers in Vanua Levu, for low lying areas and areas adjacent to Vatukacevaceva and downstream of Rakiraki Town and Korovou, Waimanu and Waidina rivers. A flash flood warning remains in force for the low lying areas and areas adjacent to small streams of Vanua Levu and low lying areas of the Eastern half of Viti Levu.
For the Eastern half of Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Koro, Yacata, Cicia, Nayau, Vanuabalavu, Lakeba, Oneata, Vanuavatu, Moce, Kabara, Namuka-i-Lau, Ogea, Vatoa and Ono-i-Lau - expect very destructive hurricane-force winds upto 220 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts to 315 kilometres per hour, periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms.
For Viti Levu, Yasawa and Mamanuca group, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Yadua, Galoa, Kia and Mali - expect damaging gale force winds with average speeds upto 85 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts upto 120 kilometres per hour, occasional rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms over the Eastern parts and interior of Viti Levu.
Meanwhile, many houses in Vanua Levu have been destroyed, some families had to shelter in corners of houses, under beds and tables and some even had to shelter in cane plantations as Cyclone Yasa wreaked havoc in many parts of the Northern Division overnight.
The National Disaster Management Office confirms emergency personnel can only go out when it is safe as destructive winds continue in Vanua Levu.
Related Stories:
