The Ministry of Agriculture is urging farmers to take all necessary precautions to secure life and property as tropical cyclone Tomas approaches Fiji.

The ministry requests farmers in low lying areas to take precautionary measures to minimize flood damages to their crops, livestock and property.

Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Colonel Mason Smith said farmers should keep their planting materials, equipment, machinery and farm tools in a safe area away from the flood.

Farmers have been urged to take their livestock to higher grounds.

Colonel Smith has advised farmers to clean and clear their drains of all floating debris to ensure that drains are free flowing and not likely to clog up.

Meanwhile, the Works Ministry is calling on the public to store water as Tropical Cyclone Tomas moves closer to the Fiji group which is expected to interrupt water supply for the next two days, while the Fiji Electricity Authority said people must store candles as gale force winds can bring down power lines once it starts affecting the group.

Stay with your Fijivillage news team as we will bring updates if there are any major developments on Tropical Cyclone Tomas.