2020-12-17T055342Z_1840283421_RC2TOK9HSZX5_RTRMADP_3_ASIA-STORM-FIJI.jpg

A powerful "super storm" has hit the Pacific Island nation of Fiji this evening, bringing with it destructive hurricane-force winds, flooding and massive waves.

The severe category five Cyclone Yasa was carrying wind speeds of up to 240 kilometres per hour when it made landfall on the island of Vanua Levu, with wind gusts of up to 345kph, Fiji's meteorological service said.

More than 1,000 evacuation centres have been prepared across Fiji's two main islands, and the Government has declared a "State of Natural Disaster" for the next 30 days to respond to the crisis.

It is urging residents to stock up on food and water, board up windows and move to higher ground if safe to do so.

The country is now under curfew until Friday morning, to keep people off the streets unless they are evacuating.

Damaging winds and rain have been lashing homes and buckling trees all day, particularly on Fiji's outlying islands.

Flash flooding and landslides are likely in some areas, with the Government warning waves as large as 14 metres could slam the coast.

"The Government is pleading with you to please move upland. We're expecting storm surges," Vasiti Soko, director of Fiji's disaster office, said.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said 95 per cent of the country's population — more than 850,000 people — were in the direct path of the storm.

"The impact forecast for this super storm is more or less all Fijians," Mr Bainimarama said in a video posted to Facebook.

The effects and intensity of #TCYasa on Transinsular Road at Lomaloma in the Northern Division.

Please stay safe. #TeamFRA pic.twitter.com/khsrhM3RA9
— Fiji Roads Authority (@FijiRoads) December 17, 2020

But weather forecaster Neville Koop, director of NaDraki Weather service, said recent modelling suggested fewer people might be severely affected.

"In terms of the level of damage and destruction and potential for loss of life, I would say maybe 20 to 25 per cent of the population are in direct harm's way," he said.

Ilisapeci Rokotunidau, director of Fiji's Red Cross, said her organisation had more than five hundred volunteers on the ground trained to help those fleeing the Cyclone.

"We've prepared them to be able to keep in touch with the National office and headquarters by mobile phone until their phones run out if the electricity runs out," she said.