A tsunami warning has been issued to the Pacific region including the Fiji islands and the point of impact of the wave activity is expected in the Lau Group, North Eastern Vanua Levu and the Lomaiviti Group this hour.
DISMAC Director Pajiliai Dobui said the tsunami warning is in effect for Fiji and people should take the necessary steps now.
We can confirm that Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre expects the first wave activity of the tsunami in the Lau Group at about 9 o’clock this morning.
Viti Levu is expected to get the first wave at about 10 o’clock this morning.
Dobui said calculations have been made and they hope that everyone is taking the tsunami warning seriously.
We have also contact the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.
Speaking from Hawaii, a scientist at the Tsunami Warning Centre said it is important that people living along the coastal areas in Fiji act now.
Hirshorn said people need to also understand that the tsunami is not only one large wave.
The islands in the Lau Group are bracing themselves after the tsunami warning was issued for the Fiji Group this morning.
Speaking from the village of Doi in the Ono-i-Lau, Doi village School headteacher Tevita Soko said at the moment there is calm.
However, they experienced rough seas early yesterday afternoon.
Soko added that the villagers have cancelled their church service this morning and have started moving to higher ground.
We have spoken to Isimeli Lesu who is in Yaroi, Matuku, Lau.
He said they are already preparing for the worst.
This tsunami follows a strong undersea earthquake measuring an 8.8 magnitude on the Richter scale near Coast of Central Chile.
According to BBC reports, the 8.8 magnitude quake that struck the central Chile has killed at least 122 people.
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Tsunami warning issued for Fiji
