Cyclone Evan - category 5

Holy shit!!

Cyclone Evan now category 5

Radio New Zealand,

17 December, 3 pm NZT, 2012

Thousands of people in Fiji have evacuated as the full brunt of the cyclone sweeps across the country.

Cyclone Evan, which weather forecasters in New Zealand now say is up to a category 5 status - the highest on the scale - is expected to batter Fiji on Monday afternoon and evening.

The cyclone passed the north-west island of Vanua Levu this on Monday morning, where 3,700 people are holed up in 45 evacuation centres.

It is making its way down the Yasawa and Mamanuca islands, before it is expected to sweep past the western part of the main island, Viti Levu.

Severe damage is anticipated along the path of the cyclone, which is expected to reach Nadi at 3pm on Monday.

Forecaster Alipate Waqaicelua said it will be a bad situation for western coastal towns on the main island, and Nadi, as the storm slows, then picks up pressure.

The cyclone earlier hit the north-west island of Vanua Levu, where hotel owners described the gusts of winds as being like a train rattling past.

Some 2700 tourists were relocated from the islands to the main island on Sunday.

Flooding is already reported in the north of Fiji and there are fears for low-lying islands in the west.

A curfew is in place in the north and may be extended on Monday afternoon.