A heavy rain warning remains in force for the entire Fiji group as Severe Tropical Cyclone Vaianu continues to move away to the southeast. Flood and flash flood warnings are active: a flood warning covers low-lying and flood-prone areas downstream of the Tuva River in Nadroga and the Nawaka and Nadi rivers, a flash flood warning is in force for Viti Levu and a flash flood alert applies to the rest of Fiji. A strong wind warning also remains for the land areas of Fiji.
At 3am today TC Vaianu was assessed as a Category 3 system near 19.9S 176.4E, about 260 km southwest of Kadavu and 340 km south‑southwest of Nadi. The cyclone is moving southeast at approximately 20 km/hr and is expected to lie near 410 km south of Kadavu and about 510 km south of Suva by 3pm today, with the system forecast to continue tracking away from Fiji.
Through to midnight tonight, expect strong north to northwest winds across the islands and periods of heavy rain with a few thunderstorms. Kadavu and nearby smaller islands are likely to experience strong to near‑gale northerly winds up to 60 km/hr with gusts to 95 km/hr; many other coastal and urban centres will see strong N–NW winds generally up to about 45 km/hr with gusts to 70–75 km/hr, although the broader forecast notes winds up to 60 km/hr are possible in exposed areas. Seas are currently very rough to high and will gradually ease to moderate to rough later tonight. Rain will be occasional to periods of heavy falls in most places, easing to showers from the west later in the day.
Localised heavy falls may produce flash flooding in low‑lying and flood‑prone areas, particularly downstream of the Tuva River in Nadroga and along the Nawaka and Nadi rivers. Isolated damage to older corrugated‑iron or timber houses and to unprotected structures in exposed communities is possible, and broken tree branches are to be expected. Rotuma remains affected by an active trough with strong northeasterly winds up to 45 km/hr (gusting to 55 km/hr), northeasterly waters 20–25 knots gusting to 30 knots, rough seas and continuing rain and thunderstorms.
The outlook for Thursday is for showers to continue over most places but gradually ease and clear from the west during the day. Winds are expected to gradually ease to moderate to fresh and remain gusty at times. In the short term, avoid low‑lying riverbanks and coastal areas during heavy falls, take care around trees and unsecured structures in exposed communities, and expect sea and boating conditions to improve only slowly into the night.
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