A storm wind warning is now in force for Southwestern Vitilevu and a gale force warning remains in force for Viti Levu, Beqa, Vatulele, Kadavu, Yasawa and Mamanuca group as tropical cyclone Gene has intensified into a category two cyclone.

The Nadi weather Office confirms that Tropical Cyclone Gene was located near 18 decimal 1 South, 177 decimal 3 East or about 30 kilometers South-Southwest of Nadi at around midnight yesterday and is moving Southwest away from the Fiji group at around 20 kilometers per hour.

Close to its center Tropical cyclone Gene now packs winds of upto 95 km/hr with momentary gusts of 140 kilometers per hour and is expected to further intensify as it is expected to be located over the Southwest Vitilevu waters this morning.

For Southwestern Viti Levu, expect destructive storm force winds with 95 km/hr winds and gusts of 140 km/hr while a flash flood warning and flooding of river and creeks expected for Viti Levu, Beqa, Vatulele, Kadavu, Yasawa and Mamanuca group.

For the rest of the Fiji group, strong Northwest to Northeast winds with speeds of upto 60km/hr and momentary gusts of upto 130km/hr expected from this morning.

Meanwhile, Nadi Weather Office Duty Forecaster Matt Poterhoven said another active trough of low pressure is lying over Vanualevu bringing more rain and flooding in the low lying areas for the whole of the Fiji group.