Tropical Cyclone Mick which is now located in Viti Levu is now upgraded to a category 2 cyclone.

The speed of the cyclone is also increasing.

For category two, it means that the winds will be stronger and as we had earlier said, the cyclone is intensifying.

A category 2 cyclone will cause damage to houses.

There will be significant damage to signs, trees and caravans.

There will be heavy damage to crops and there is a risk of power failure.

A category 2 cyclone's strongest winds are destructive winds with typical gusts over open flat land of 125 to 164 kilometres per hour.

A tropical cyclone storm warning is now in force for Yasawa and Mamanuca, the whole of Viti Levu, Beqa, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.

A gale warning remains in force for the rest of Fiji.

Tropical Cyclone Mick was located near 17 decimal 5 South, 177 decimal 4 East or about 50 kilometres North North West of Nadi or 150 kilometres North West of Suva at 2pm today by radar.

The cyclone is intensifying.

Close to its centre the cyclone is estimated to have average winds of 90 to 110 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts to 150 kilometres per hour and winds of 65 kilometres per hour to 80 kilometres per hour and momentary gusts to 100 kilometres per hour within 270 kilometres of the centre of the Tropical Cyclone.

The cyclone is moving towards the South East at 20 kilometres per hour.

On this forecast track the cyclone centre is expected to lie about 120 kilometres to the South East of Nadi or about 45 kilometres South South West of Suva at midnight tonight and about 190 kilometres to the South South East of Nadi or about 250 kilometres South West of Lakeba at midday tomorrow.

Please note that it would be wise to secure your homes and to remain indoors as destructive winds will begin a few hours before the cyclone centre passes overhead or nearby.

Weather Office director Rajendra Prasad said people are to expect more rain which will cause extensive flash flooding especially in the Western Division.

Acting Director DISMAC Pajiliai Dobui said with Tropical Cyclone Mick changing its path, people need to take necessary precautions now.