A Tropical Cyclone Alert remains in force for the whole of the Fiji Group.
The Tropical Cyclone Tomas was located 410 kilometres North North East of Udu Point at three o'clock this morning.
Close to its centre the Cyclone is estimated to have average winds of 100 kilometres an hour increasing to 140 kilometres an hour in the next 18 to 24 hours.
The Tropical cyclone is moving South west at 10 kilometres an hour and is intensifying.
Nadi Weather Office Director, Rajen Prasad said that the system is moving slowly but steadily towards the country and is now being upgraded to a marginal Hurricane within the next few hours.
Prasad said that at the moment people living in the Northern Division are experiencing the effects of the rain bands around the country.
At the moment, a strong wind warning is in force for the whole of the Fiji group.
The Nadi Weather Office said that there will be gusts of up to 45 knots and increasing within the next 24 to 36 hours.
Further outlook is for damaging heavy swells and phenomenal seas.
DISMAC and other Emergency response Units are ensuring that all communications remain intact between the various divisions during the height of the approaching cyclone and afterwards.
At a press conference yesterday, DISMAC Official Anthony said all government Disaster response agencies are now activated and ready to assist the people.
He confirmed that they want to ensure that there is no breakdown in communication between Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and the outer islands as was experienced during Tropical Cyclone Ami.
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Tropical Cyclone moves closer to Fiji Group
