A hurricane warning remains in force for 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 16 decimal 5 South 179 decimal 5 West or about 110km East of Labasa or 275 kilometres North East of Suva at 11:30 last night.

Close to its centre, Tomas is estimated to have average winds of 175 kilometres per hour increasing to 200 kilometres per hour within the next 12 hours with momentary gusts up to 270 kilometres per hour.

The hurricane is intensifying and moving South at 10 kilometres per hour.

On this track, the cyclone centre is expected to be located about 190 kilometres East of Suva or 110 kilometres North west of Lakeba at mid day today and about 195 kilometres South Southwest of Lakeba or 290 kilomerters Southeast of Suva at midnight tomorrow.

Nadi Weather Office Director Rajendra Prasad stressed 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 kilometres and he said people need to take this into account.