![Tropical Cyclone Warning Number 48 issued 4:05AMThursday 17 December 2020. [Image: Fiji Meterological Services]](https://www.fijivillage.com/news_images/15422341575fdb9bcb93a156273526.jpg)
The centre of Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa is located about 50 kilometres North North West of Koro and continues to track into the Koro Sea and then to Southern Lau.
Yasa is taking this path after leaving a trail of destruction in Vanua Levu.
The cyclone gained speed yesterday and the centre made landfall late yesterday afternoon over Bua Province instead of the projected 8pm timeline by the Nadi Weather Office. This was based on the system moving faster than expected however it was already highlighted that hurricane-force winds were expected before the centre passes.
TC Yasa also spent almost the whole night slowly moving over Vanua Levu.
It also took a more southeasterly direction and did not take the projected path which has also spared Eastern Viti Levu including Suva and Nausori areas that were earlier under hurricane warning.
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 to do so.
Close to its centre the TC Yasa currently has winds up to 205 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts to 285 kilometres per hour.
The cyclone is moving South East at about 22 kilometres per hour.
We have received reports that people in Koro are experiencing hurricane-force winds.
A hurricane warning remains in force for the Eastern half of Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, 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 and rest of Lomaiviti group.
A gale warning remains in force for the Eastern half of Viti Levu, Matuku, Moala and Totoya, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Yadua, Galoa, Kia and Mali.
A strong wind warning is in force for the rest of the Fiji group.
A storm surge and damaging heavy swell warning remain in force for Southern coast of Vanua Levu, 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, Southern parts of Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lomaiviti and Lau group.
A flood warning remains in force for major rivers of 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 Eastern half of Viti Levu.
Related Stories;
