A Hurricane warning is now in force for Cikobia Island.
A storm warning is now in force for Eastern half of Vanua Levu and nearby smaller islands.
A gale warning is now in force for rest of Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands.
A tropical cyclone alert is in force for rest of Fiji.
Severe Tropical cyclone Tomas center was located 14 decimal 1 South 179 Decimal 6 West or about 290km North-North East of Labasa or 495 km North-North East of Suva at Midnight.
Close to its center the cyclone is estimated to have average winds of 140 km per hour increasing to 165 km per hour with momentary gusts up to 230 km per hour in the next 12 to 24 hours.
The cyclone is intensifying and moving South-South West at 10km per hour.
On this track, the cyclone center is expected to be located about 190 km North North East of Labasa or 400km North-North East at Midday today and about 105km North-North East of Labasa or 315km North-North East of Suva at midnight today.
More than 1000 people are taking shelter at the evacuation centers in Taveuni as winds strengthened throughout the night.
Taveuni District Officer Ilivasi Tuitubou said Taveuni has been experiencing heavy rain and strong winds since late yesterday, and communication with villages and settlements has been difficult.
Nadi Weather Office Director Rajendra Prasad said Tomas has now been upgraded to Category three which means that it now has hurricane force winds and is expected to affect the whole country earlier than expected.
Prasad said that at the moment they have projected the path of Hurricane Tomas and it is expected to pass through Savusavu and Labasa before affecting the outer islands however this may change at any time.
He said parts of Vanua Levu may have been facing the full brunt of the cyclone by now.
Once again, the Whole of the Fiji Group is now on a Tropical Cyclone Warning as Hurricane Tomas now picked up speed.
Nadi weather Office said that Hurricane Tomas has now been upgraded to Category three which means that it now has hurricane force winds and is expected to affect the whole country earlier than expected.
People are also reminded that the cyclone has now gained hurricane status, which means that it will have destructive winds and people need to secure their property and the make the decision now to move to high ground or to an evacuation centre set up by DISMAC.
People also need to be mindful of the continuous heavy rain and sea flooding which is expected to result in flash flooding.
For Viti Levu, people living in Suva, Nausori, Navua, Rakiraki.
Please ensure that you take the necessary steps and secure your property.
You also have to take the necessary steps if you believe that your houses are not secure and would not be able to sustain hurricane force winds.
Flash flooding is also likely in these areas.
Please ensure that you have stocked up on food, batteries, torches and emergency lights.
Ensure that you have a transistor radio in case there are power cuts, as normally power supply gets affected due to fallen lines.
Also ensure that children are safe and please do not touch any broken power lines.
Also store water, as water supply will be affected if there are power cuts.
