A heavy rain warning remains in force for the Fiji group.

Acting Director of the Nadi Weather Office, Aminiasi Tuidraki said this is based on the indirect effects that Fiji will experience when Tropical Cyclone Pam comes further South from Northern Vanuatu.

Tropical Cyclone Pam is a Category 4 system and the centre is located near 13.0 South 169.9 East or about 950 kilometres North West of Nadi.

It is still intensifying and now travelling at a speed of 9 kilometres per hour.

By tomorrow, the system is expected to be upgraded to a category 5 system.

This means that close to the system wind speeds will range from 205 km to 295 km per hour.

Tuidraki said for Fiji, the Weather Office will see the position of Tropical Cyclone Pam and assess the wind speeds when the system becomes a category 5 cyclone.

A strong wind warning remains in force for the land areas of the western half of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Rotuma, Yasawa, Mamanuca group, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands.

Going into tomorrow, we expect strong northerly winds with average speeds of 45 to 55km/hr with momentary gusts to 65km/hr over the Western half of Viti Levu, Yasawa and Mamanuca group, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands.

Flash flooding of low lying areas is possible.

On the current track, the centre of the cyclone is expected to remain to the far West of Fiji.

However the broad system’s rain bands are expected to affect Fiji till this weekend.

Tuidraki said Tropical Cyclone Pam continues to broaden and this will bring a lot of rain.

He said the rain measured around the system is already about 200 to 300 millimetres in 24 hours.

Tuidraki said this would be the main concern for Fiji.

He said it has been raining heavily in Vanua Levu, Yasawa and Lau since last night and they have been recording high amount of rainfall.

Winds have also started picking up in Nadi and Yasawa.

Meanwhile Minister for National Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu has called on everyone to be proactive and monitor the weather updates as the heavy rain and winds associated with Tropical Cyclone Pam will definitely start affecting Fiji from tonight.

Seruiratu briefed the National Disaster Council earlier today.

Seruiratu is urging the leaders of each Ministry to be proactive and prepare themselves to assist those who need help.

Education:

All schools in Fiji will be closed tomorrow.

Minister for Education, Doctor Mahendra Reddy has just made the decision after the ministry’s meeting a few minutes ago.

Northern Division:

Commissioner Northern, Alipate Bolalevu said DISMAC is on stand-by to assist people in need in the North.

Parts of the North have experienced heavy rain from last night and the Weather Office says people in Vanua Levu should be prepared for tonight.

Western Division:

Nadi is anticipating rain from this afternoon going into tonight as dark clouds start to build.

Commissioner Western Manasa Tagicakibau said they had occasional rain throughout the morning.

Tagicakibau also said winds have also picked up.

He said people living in Nadi have been preparing well and will move to evacuation centers if the need arises.

Central Division:

Everything is on standby mode in the Central Division as logistical preparations have been worked out for Cyclone Pam.

This is the word from Commissioner Central, Meleti Bainimarama who said they are working closely with other government agencies and have mapped out a number of plans for flooding, strong winds and landslides.

Lau Group:

The Lau group experienced heavy rain overnight and some areas are flooded.

In Vanuabalavu, the road from Dakuilomaloma to Muamua is now only accessible by four wheel drive vehicles.

Cicia, Lakeba and Ono continue to experience gusty winds and rain.