People in the Northern division continue to feel very strong winds and continuous heavy rain, which are now the direct effects of Hurricane Tomas.
This situation is expected to remain for the Northern division for a number of hours tonight going into early tomorrow as the hurricane moves slowly.
Nadi Weather Office Director, Rajendra Prasad said the full brunt of Hurricane Tomas was felt in Cikobia earlier today.
He confirmed that Tomas is near Udu Point.
Category 4 Hurricane Tomas remains in the Fiji group and the Eastern parts of Vanua Levu will also be affected, with winds strengthening even further now.
A hurricane warning remains in force for Cikobia, Eastern tip of Vanua Levu, Rabi, Kioa, Taveuni, Qamea, Laucala, Naitauba, Yacata, Kanacea, Mago, Cicia, Batiki, Matuku, Totoya and nearby smaller islands.
A storm warning is in force for the Eastern half of Vanua Levu,Koro,Makogai, Gau, Vanuabalavu, Nayau, Lakeba, Kabara and nearby smaller islands.
A gale warning remains in force for the Eastern half of Viti Levu, Beqa, kadavu and the rest of the Lau and Lomaiviti group.
A strong wind warning is in force for the rest of the Fiji group.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Tomas centre Category 4 was located near 16 decimal 3 South 179 decimal 5 West or about 125 East of Labasa or 300 kilometres North East of Suva at 8:30pm today.
Close to its centre, Tomas is estimated to have average winds of 175 kilometres per hour increasing to 200 kilometres per hour within the next 12 hours with momentary gusts up to 270 kilometres per hour.
The hurricane is intensifying and moving South at 10 kilometres per hour.
On this track, the cyclone centre is expected to be located about 210 kilometres East North of Suva or 120 kilometres North west of
Lakeba at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning and about 150 kilometres South Southwest of Lakeba or 260 kilomerters East Southeast of Suva at 9pm tomorrow evening.
For the Central Division, Prasad said winds will start strengthening in the division from tonight and tomorrow.
You will also experience continuous heavy rain and sea flooding which will result in flash flooding.
The next special weather bulletin to pin point the exact location of Hurricane Tomas will be issued at mid night by the Nadi weather office.
Prasad also explains that the system is quite large and the area that the hurricane is covering is quite large.
The radius of the system from the eye is about 120 kilometres and he said people need to take this into account.
Damages to health centers in North
The Health Ministry has recorded damages to its health centres in Taveuni with part of the roof at some of the buildings blown off earlier today.
Health Ministry Spokesperson, Iliesa tora said that the roof for the Accident and Emergency Unit as well as the hospital gym was ripped off.
This has seen water pour inside into the affected buildings as a result of heavy rain.
Tora added that there were 18 inpatients within, however no one injured with the maternity patients have been moved to the Labour ward.
Repairs will start when the weather permits.
In Savusavu, the Hospital also sustained damage with a mango tree falling on the Health Center earlier this evening however there were no casualties.
In Natewa, staffs at the Health Center have moved to higher grounds because of strong waves.
They are also reporting that a tree has fallen on the health Center building and spoiled part of the roof and three solar panels.
For Kia, just off Labasa, staffs at the Health Centre have been evacuated to higher ground with no reports as yet from Rabi Island as communication lines are all down in many parts of the outer islands in the North.
Schools remain closed tomorrow
All schools throughout Fiji will be closed again tomorrow.
Education Minister Filipe Bole said after liaising with DISMAC and looking at the weather situation, they have decided that all schools will be closed tomorrow.
Civil servants asked to stay home
Permanent Secretary for the Public Service Commission, Parmesh Chand also confirmed that all civil servants with the exception of those involved in essential services and DISMAC are to stay home until further notice.
Feature
Hurricane Tomas nears Udu Point
