Tropical Depression TD11F has strengthened into Tropical Cyclone Vaianu and is now a Category 1 system, the Fiji Meteorological Service said in its latest bulletin. At 4am today the cyclone was located about 580 kilometres west-northwest of Yasawa and was moving south-southeast at roughly 9 km/h, prompting authorities to extend and bolster wind warnings across the group.
A strong wind warning that was already in force for the Northern Division and the Yasawa and Mamanuca groups has been extended to cover the western half of Viti Levu — from Sigatoka and the Coral Coast through Nadi to Rakiraki — as well as Kadavu and nearby smaller islands. A broader strong wind alert has also been issued for the rest of the country, signalling potentially disruptive conditions nationwide as Vaianu develops.
For areas under warning, the Fiji Met Service forecasts fresh to strong northeasterly winds of 30 to 45 km/h with gusts up to 70 km/h. Elsewhere across Fiji, moderate to fresh northeasterly winds with occasional gusts are expected. The agency warned that seas will become rough to very rough across Fiji waters while the system continues to develop.
An associated trough of low pressure currently lies over Fiji, bringing cloud and rain that the Met Service says is likely to affect the group over the next few days. The combination of increased winds, showers and deteriorating sea conditions raises the prospect of hazardous conditions for coastal communities and marine operations, particularly small craft and inter-island vessels.
This bulletin is the latest development in a short-lived but active system that was previously tracked as tropical depression TD11F. The upgrade to a named cyclone and the west-northwest position relative to Yasawa mark a significant step in its evolution and are the reason for the expanded warnings issued today.
Residents, vessel operators and authorities in affected areas are being urged to monitor further updates from the Fiji Meteorological Service and heed any local advisories as Vaianu moves and potentially changes intensity and track in the coming days.
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