A curfew is still imposed for residents in the Central, Eastern and Northern division.
Permanent Secretary for Information Lt Colonel Neumi Leweni said people's movements are restricted in these areas and they should remain indoors.
Lt Colonel Leweni also said for those holding curfew passes, they have to go to the police stations.
On Hurricane Tomas:
A hurricane warning remains in force for the 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 17 decimal 1 South, 179 decimal 6 West or about 130km East Southeast of Labasa or 240 kilometers East North East of Suva at 5:30 this morning.
Close to its centre, Tomas is estimated to have average winds of 175 kilometers per hour increasing to 200 kilometers per hour within the next 12 hours with momentary gusts up to 270 kilometers per hour.
The hurricane is intensifying and moving South at 10 kilometers per hour.
On this track, the cyclone centre is expected to be located about 195 kilometers East Southeast of Suva or 110 kilometers west Southwest of Lakeba at 6pm today and about 270 kilometers South Southwest of Lakeba or 360 kilomerters Southeast of Suva at 6am tomorrow.
Nadi Weather Office Duty Forecaster Terry Atalifo confirmed that the eye of Hurricane Tomas passed only a few kilometers from Laucala Island, which is located off the coast of Taveuni at 3 o=clock this morning, and is heading towards the Northern Lau group.
Devastating hurricane winds battered Taveuni and Laucala Island for up to 6 hours and continue to do so.
Atalifo said the situation is not expected to change over the next few hours as the system is very slow moving.
The Nadi weather office explained 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 kilometers and people need to take this into account.
High tide is also coming in and is expected to be at its peak at 6:56 this morning which will cause rivers and streams to swell further and people are advised to take necessary precautions.
