The National Disaster Management Center stressed that there might not be any time to issue a tsunami and evacuation notice to the public if a tsunami originates within Fiji waters.

The 8.3 magnitude earthquake in Vanuatu yesterday morning allowed local authorities enough time to issue the tsunami warning for Fiji and subsequently the evacuation notice for all coastal areas.

However, DISMAC's Pajilia Dobui said from past experiences, if an earthquake occurs in Fiji and a tsunami is generated, it could only take minutes to strike.

After yesterday's warning was aired, there were traffic jams with people trying to get out of the city.

Dobui said DISMAC is currently working on a pilot project to come up with a tsunami evacuation plan for the major centers.

He said certain areas will be identified as evacuation points.

He said they will also try and carry out a study to ascertain which areas people can evacuate on foot and not use their vehicles in attempts to move to higher ground.

He added DISMAC is also in talks with various property owners in Walu Bay and Vatuwaqa, which are listed as high risk areas, to allow access to people to cross their property during an evacuation.

Meanwhile, Rawiri Paratene, a renowned crew member of "The Vaka, Maori Ocean voyaging canoe" which made its way to Fiji on Wednesday has congratulated the citizens of Fiji who took yesterday's tsunami notice seriously.