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Cyclone Yasa hits Fiji overnight, bringing destructive winds and downpours

December 18, 2020

The entire nation has been under curfew overnight with a state of natural disaster declared.

Cyclone Yasa's made landfall in Fiji last night, bringing destructive hurricane force winds with it.

The storm is churning up the sea and bringing widespread downpours.

The entire island nation had been under curfew overnight with a state of national disaster declared.

The curfew lifted at 7am this morning (NZT).

Cyclone Yasa is a category 5 monster with enough force to wipe out entire villages, and it’s barrelling towards Fiji.

Yesterday, officials there said 95 per cent of the population — 850,000 Fijians — were in the direct path of Yasa, with sixteen metre waves predicted.

Police have been helping those around the coastline get to safety – there are 53 evacuation centres set up around the country.

This morning the Fiji Meteorological Service posted on Facebook , warning of strong wind and heavy rain, including floods.

"Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa centre 933hpa category 5 was located near 17.3 south 179.5 west or about 50 kilometres north northwest of Koro and about 60 kilometres west of Vanua Balavu at 3.00am today (4am NZT)," it said.

"Close to its centre, the cyclone is expected to have average winds up to 205 km/h with momentary gusts to 285 km/h. The cyclone is moving southeast at about 22 km/h."

The agency said the system is expected to be located near Lau group at 9am today (10am NZT).

The cyclone is forecast to pass directly over Fiji’s two main islands on Friday.

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