The National Weather Forecasting Centre in Nadi has issued a heavy rain warning and a flash flood alert for the entire Fiji group, along with a strong wind warning for land areas. At 6am this morning Severe Tropical Cyclone Vaianu (Category 3) was located near 17.1S 175.0E — about 330 km west of Yasawa‑i‑Rara and 320 km west‑north‑west of Nadi — and was moving southeast at about 10 km/h. The cyclone is forecast to be roughly 250 km west‑southwest of Kadavu and about 300 km south‑southwest of Nadi by 6am tomorrow.
Across the Northern Division, the Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, the western half of Viti Levu (Sigatoka–Coral Coast through Nadi to Rakiraki), Kadavu and nearby smaller islands expect the strongest winds: northerlies up to 60 km/h with gusts to 95 km/h. Elsewhere, strong northerly winds up to 45 km/h with gusts to 70 km/h are expected. Rain will be frequent across most areas — occasional to periods of rain, heavy at times, with a few thunderstorms — and localised heavy falls may produce flash flooding of low‑lying and flood‑prone areas.
Sea conditions will deteriorate, with very rough to high seas expected around most coasts. Mariners should note the combined hazard of strong winds, high seas and squally thunderstorms; small and exposed vessels will be at particular risk. On land, isolated damage to older corrugated iron or timber houses and unsheltered structures is possible in exposed communities, and broken tree branches are likely in stronger gusts.
Conditions are expected to remain unsettled into Wednesday, with northwesterly winds near the same strength over the same areas and continued periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Most centres are forecast daytime maximums around 29°C and overnight minimums in the mid‑20s. Rotuma remains under a separate strong wind warning from an active trough: over land expect northeasterly winds up to 45 km/h with gusts up to 55 km/h; over local waters northeasterlies 20–25 knots, gusting to 30 knots, with rough seas and occasional heavy showers and thunderstorms.
Residents and visitors should monitor local alerts, avoid driving or walking through floodwaters, secure loose outdoor items, and avoid unnecessary coastal or marine travel while warnings remain in force. For the latest Special Weather Bulletins and updates from the National Weather Forecasting Centre, see https://www.met.gov.fj/alerts/
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