A hurricane warning remains in force for Eastern quarter 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 Cikobia, the Eastern half of Vanua Levu, Koro, 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 8 South 179 decimal 6 West or about 120km East Southeast of Labasa or 255 kilometres North East of Suva at 2.30 this morning.
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 190 kilometres East of Suva or 105 kilometres west of Lakeba at 3pm today and about 230 kilometres South Southwest of Lakeba or 320 kilomerters Southeast of Suva at 3am tomorrow.
Nadi Weather Office Duty Forecaster Terry Atalifo said the situation is not expected to change over the next few hours as the system is very slow moving.
Curfew in force till 7am
A curfew is in force for the Northern, Central and eastern division.
The curfew was imposed from 8pm yesterday till 7am this morning.
Permanent Secretary for Information Lt. Col. Neumi Leweni has confirmed that the curfew for the Northern division remains in place until further notice and there will be no curfew imposed on the Western division.
Leweni said only those in essential services will be issued passes to move around during the curfew period.
Tomas damages telecommunications infrastructure
Telecom Fiji Limited has confirmed this morning that Hurricane Tomas continues to damage telecommunication infrastructure in the Northern division and Lau group, including communications to Taveuni, Cicia, Rabi and other smaller islands.
Group Public Relations Officer Vanessa Kilner confirmed that over the past couple of hours, hurricane force winds have damaged the second main transmission link to Vanua Levu, affecting Easytel and landlines services.
She said engineers continue to monitor the situation and will dispatch a team to restore services as soon as the weather permits.
Damages to health centres 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.
Feature
Hurricane warning remains in place
