The centre of Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston is currently approaching Tavua and Ba.
People in Rakiraki are still experiencing very destructive winds and heavy rain.
The system is expected to pass through Viti Levu tonight into tomorrow.
There is a hurricane warning between Korovou to Korolevu.
These areas will get winds of upto 320 kilometres per hour.
Other parts of Viti Levu including, Suva, Navua and Nausori will continue to experience destructive storm winds and continuous heavy rain as the system passes through Viti Levu.
For Suva, expected winds between 110 kilometres per hour to 155 kilometres per hour tonight into tomorrow.
People in Tavua are already feeling the effects of Cyclone Winston as predicted.
Two women and a 6-year-old boy have been evacuated after they were stuck in a flat in Tavua College in the last hour.
Fijivillage has confirmed that the windows of their flat were all blown away and they were stuck in their flat for a while.
The three are now at an evacuation centre.
Meanwhile five people are currently stuck in Tavua Hotel.
Shonil Lal says he and four others are in urgent need of assistance as the building they are in is shaking and water is going into the hotel as the windows are all smashed up.
Wind speeds will continue to increase for the whole of Viti Levu.
The system is covering a vast area as the gales cover a 350 kilometre diameter.
Close to the centre, the cyclone is estimated to have average winds of 230 kilometres per hour to 325 kilometres per hour.
Please be advised that very destructive winds will begin several hours before the cyclone centre passes overhead or nearby.
People in Vanua Levu will also experience very strong winds.
Suva is also expected to experience heavy rain and widespread flash flooding tonight.
Destructive storm force winds continue in Suva, Nausori and Pacific Harbour.
River flooding in Viti Levu is also likely tomorrow.
People living in the low lying coastal areas should take necessary action.
We have been getting reports of a number of live power lines and trees down in the Central Division.
Please stay indoors.
Many areas are also experiencing power cuts.
People who are living in low lying areas are advised to move to high ground if you feel that you will be affected by rising flood water.
Minister for Women Rosy Akbar and a police team are currently assisting in the evacuation of a number of families in Vatuwaqa.
Houses in Muanivatu close to the Vatuwaqa bridge have been badly affected.
Akbar says they rescued about 20 children from the area.
They are now at Nanuku settlement where flood waters have reached the doorsteps of many houses.
Many people in the area were refusing to move as they said that they wanted to stay in their homes to look after their belongings.
Please pack up and leave if you know that your homes will be badly affected.
For those who want the assistance of Raiwaqa Police for evacuation - please contact 9905403.
For evacuation operations, you can contact DISMAC Operations on 3313361.
For police matters and assistance you can contact the Police Command and Control Centre on 9905296.
You can also contact us on 3314766 for any information and assistance.
Cabinet has declared a State of Natural Disaster.
The National Disaster Management Office advises people that a total public curfew is now in effect across the country.
The latest measure is to restrict movement and ensure the safety of all Fijians.
Only essential service vehicles will be permitted to travel.
Stay with us as we will bring you continuous weather updates on Tropical Cyclone Winston.
A man from Koro Island died after a house fell on him.
Fijivillage has received confirmation that the elderly man was trying to escape from his house but it was too late.
50 houses have been destroyed in the village of Navaga.
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A family of three is in a state of shock after an electric pole fell in-front of their car in Waituri, Nausori in the last hour.
Talei Vinakasigadua says they were returning from Makoi when the incident happened.
She says Nausori is experiencing very strong winds and heavy rain.
We are also getting reports from Koronivia, Lokia, Dilkusha, Waila, Jalim Avenue and Navuso that strong winds and heavy rain has been affecting these areas from this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Sandeep Kumar from Baulevu, Nausori has told us that the roof of their kitchen and garage were blown away by strong winds.
Kumar who is a farmer says his crops and vegetables have also been destroyed by strong winds and heavy rain.
10 families from Veiraisi, Nadera have been forced to take shelter at the Nadera Methodist Church hall after flood waters entered their homes in the last hour.
A resident from Veiraisi says flood waters from blocked drains have entered their homes.
Three houses have lost their roofs in Muanikoso.
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A man who badly injured after a corrugated iron sheet from a nearby house hit his leg at Princes Road, is currently being rushed to the hospital.
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Suva is also expected to experience heavy rain and widespread flash flooding tonight. Destructive storm force winds continue in Suva, Nausori and Pacific Harbour.
River flooding in Viti Levu is also likely tomorrow. People living in the low lying coastal areas should take necessary action.
SITUATION REPORT:
People in Rakiraki are currently experiencing destructive winds, and heavy rain.
Power supply in Rakiraki is cut off.
Some houses in Thomson Place in Rakiraki have been badly affected by destructive winds.
The families need urgent assistance. DISMAC and Police have been notified and they are on their way to rescue the families.
Kings road is closed between Nabulini and Rakiraki due to fallen trees.
The destructive winds are preventing the clearing of these trees and the road will remain closed until it is safe for workers to clear the road.
Most parts of the country are without power until further notice.
FEA says the whole of Savusavu, Labasa, Rakiraki, Tavua, Ba and Vatukoula are with power supply.
We have received information that parts of Navua are now flooded as approximately 80 families of Volivoli Village in Vunibau have been relocated to the village hall.
A family of 4 in Balata, Tavua are currently at their neighbour’s house after their home was partially blown away in the last hour.
Meanwhile, a family of 5 is currently on the streets looking for help after their house in Thomson place in Rakiraki was completely blown away.
Fijivillage have confirmed that the mother is pregnant and she is with her husband and three children.
A family of five is currently sheltering under a bed after their house was blown away near Tavua College.
And in Malele Road in Tavua, an elderly couple are stuck in their home and are in need of help as an elderly man is on a wheelchair.
A woman in Bangladesh Tavua is currently stuck in her house as the roof fell on her.
In another situation in the same area, an elderly woman who is disabled is stuck in a room with three children.
We have contacted DISMAC and rescue efforts are underway.
Parts of Navua are now flooded as approximately 80 families of Volivoli Village in Vunibau have been relocated to the village hall.
It has been reported that more than 100 families are now at Vashist Muni Primary School evacuation center.
Navua is now experiencing strong winds.
758 evacuation centres are operational around the country.
You can contact us on 3314766 for any information or assistance.
Suva is also expected to experience heavy rain and widespread flash flooding tonight.
Destructive storm force winds continue in Suva, Nausori and Pacific Harbour.
River flooding in Viti Levu is also likely tomorrow.
People living in the low lying coastal areas should take necessary action.
In the Central Division, most places are without power while majority of the areas in the Eastern division are also without power.
It has been reported that more than 100 families are now at Vashist Muni Primary School evacuation center.
Navua is now experiencing strong winds.
The National Disaster Management Office has opened all its 758 evacuation centres around the country.
You can contact us on 3314766 for the list of evacuation centres.
Do not leave things to the last minute.
Earlier on:
People living in Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Ovalau, Gau, Batiki, Nairai, Koro, Vanuabalavu, Yacata, Mago, Cicia, Tuvuca, Nayau and Vanuavatu will have very destructive hurricane force winds with average speed of 220 kilometres per hour to 315 kilometres per hour.
A heavy rain warning is also in force.
Flash flooding is expected.
Winds continue to intensify in a number of areas in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
We have been getting reports of a number of live power lines down in the Central Division.
Please stay indoors.
Many areas are also experiencing power cuts.
Stay with us as we will bring you continuous weather updates on Tropical Cyclone Winston.
Situation Report:
At least 10 families are still stranded at the Daria post office in Wainunu, Bua after they left their houses fearing that the roofs would be blown away by strong winds.
They have been at the post office for three hours now.
Sathu Nair says there is no evacuation centre near the area and flood waters continue to rise.
He says five more families are still hiding under the floor of their houses which have been badly damaged.
He is asking people who are close to the area to help them.
We have informed DISMAC to assist these families.
There are also reports of flooding in some other areas in Bua.
This includes Wailevu, Dawara, Vuadomo, Nadavaci, Yadua.
Seven houses in Waiyevo village in Taveuni have being badly damaged by strong winds.
Five of these houses had their roof tops blown away and the affected families are now sheltering at the Waiyevo community hall.
A total of seven evacuation centers have been opened in Taveuni and there are fifteen families sheltering at Holy Cross Primary School while three families are at the Tavuki village Hall.
These families also had their houses damaged this morning.
Savusavu and nearby settlements have also been experiencing destructive hurricane force winds since about 9 o’clock this morning.
Many residents have told us that they are still experiencing severe winds in Savusavu and Nabouwalu.
We have received reports that some corrugated iron sheets are flying from a construction yard in Fletcher road.
Please be mindful of this.
6 families in Naivikinikini in Lami are currently staying at one house as their evacuation centre is still closed.
Owner, Lekimi Vasukiwai says their community hall is closed and they were told to evacuate to the Lami Parish Hall.
Vasukiwai says they cannot go outside as the wind is too strong and the Parish Hall is far from where they lived.
Western Division:
People in Nadi and Ba are prepared for Tropical Cyclone Winston and are now waiting for nightfall.
Our West Correspondent, Gulsher Ali says they are not experiencing strong winds and heavy rain but people have prepared well.
Ba Town Council CEO, Dip Narayan says the weather is cloudy in Ba however they have also not experienced heavy rain.
Narayan says the wind has picked up and it may get stronger in the next few hours.
Those living in the low‑lying areas are advised to move to higher ground.
The National Disaster Management Office has opened all its 758 evacuation centres around the country.
You can contact us on 3314766 for the list of evacuation centres.
Please make your assessment now and move to a safe shelter if you believe that you could get affected later this afternoon into tonight. Do not leave things to the last minute.
During cyclones, there are water and power cuts.
Please make the necessary preparations.
Tropical Cyclone Winston hit Vanuabalavu early this morning.
A resident in Vanuabalavu spoke to Legend FM News via a satellite phone from Nabavatu and said that some houses were badly damaged early this morning and people rushed to other houses to seek shelter.
She said that her house which was one of the most significant structures on the island was destroyed early this morning.
She has termed Tropical Cyclone Winston as a terrible monster. It is not a system that many people in Fiji are familiar with as it is a large system with very destructive winds and a lot of rain.
There is also confirmation that some houses in Tubou village in Lakeba had their rooftops blown away by strong winds this morning.
The Land Transport Authority says all public transportation including buses, taxis, mini buses and carriers should cease movement from this hour for public safety.
