People in the Northern division are now feeling strong winds and heavy rain, which are now the direct effects of Hurricane Tomas.

Nadi Weather Office Director Rajendra Prasad said the full brunt of Hurricane Tomas is being felt in Cikobia for the last few hours and it is a major concern that Tomas is very slow moving and battering the island with hurricane force winds.

He confirmed that Tomas is just passing Cikobia now and is heading towards Rabi, Kioa and Taveuni.

Tomas is now in the Fiji group and the Eastern parts of Vanua Levu will also be affected.

Situation Report

In Labasa:
Police are now closely monitoring the water level of the Labasa River as three major rivers which join the main Labasa River are now heavily flooded.

Regional Police Commander Northern SSP Luke Qionibaravi said the Korotari, Vunimoli and Suweni rivers are now flooded as heavy rain continues.

He said they are now waiting for high tide, as this may also increase the water levels in the Labasa river.

The next high tide is at 7.30 tonight.

In Anube, Bulileka just outside Labasa town:
Many have lost their farms and livestock due to flooding.

A resident Chandar said their hard work has gone to waste adding that despite being prepared, 3 families have lost the roofs of their houses.

He also said that flood waters have reached Boubale, Orata and Boca roads and flood waters is rising rapidly.

Vunimoli Secondary school Manager Mohammad Hassan said their school is now open as an evacuation centre and 20 people are now taking shelter.

He also said the Vunimoli Bridge is now under 2 feet flood waters.

Up in Udu Point:
The villagers of Yawasa report that the wind has picked up with ten sheets of the village church roof flying off.

Looking at Wainiika, just near Udu Point:
Close to 10 houses in the village are under about four feet of sea water since this morning after the sea wall was damaged last night.

Village headman Saula Tuiqalau said the church and the village hall which were supposed to be used as the evacuation centre, are also flooded.

The 50 year old said it is the first time he has come across this experience where the sea wall was badly damaged and some trees in the village uprooted by strong winds from last night.

Tuiqalau added that most of the villagers have moved to their relatives in higher ground as they fear it might get worse at night.

In Korotari in Labasa:
The advisory Councilor Om Prakash said that they are now calling for those in low-lying areas and those near the Korotari River to evacuate as the water level continues to rise.

Prakash said it is raining heavily in the three sisters hills.

In Daku, Wainikoro just outside Labasa Town:
The people have started feeling very strong winds and heavy rain.

Advisory Councilor Ram Kewal said he is advising people to move to higher ground as the Wainikoro River has started to flood.

In Taveuni:
Naqara resident Ajesh Kumar said the strength of the wind has picked since this morning however there are no reports of damages and flooding so far.

He added that people have started moving to higher grounds.

Onto the Island of Kioa:
Village Councilor David Taulia said they are having poor visibility as the rainfall has now increased and the winds have picked up.

He said they are also experiencing some flooding.

In Lau:
Just before telephone lines went off, Lakeba villager Mosese said that they are starting to get heavy rain and strong winds as well.

Mosese said that the villagers have already moved to higher ground and secured their houses.

In Tailevu:
Resident of Nabilo in Tailevu Vijay Prasad said they are experiencing strong winds and heavy rain.

Prasad said this is the ideal time for those living in low-lying areas to move to higher ground.