A powerful earthquake measuring 8.0 magnitude has struck east of the Solomon Islands and this has resulted in a tsunami warning for Fiji and a number of other countries.
People living in coastal low lying areas in Fiji are asked to take precautions.
The Mineral Resources Department confirmed that the first wave activity, if any, is expected this hour.
We have also received confirmation that any tsunami will come from the western parts of Fiji.
People in Yasawas, Mamanucas and those in the Western Division are asked to take precautions now as the first wave activity is expected to come your way if it does come through.
Suva is expected to get the second wave at about 4.05pm.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has confirmed that a tsunami has been generated and we advise people to take the necessary precautions.
The quake occurred at a depth of 33km and the epicentre was 347km east of Kira Kira in the Solomon Islands.
DISMAC confirmed that the quake occurred at about 1.12pm today.
A tsunami warning is in effect for Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Kosrae, Fiji, Kiribati, Wallis and Futuna.
A tsunami watch is in effect for Marshall Islands, Pohnpei, Tokelau, Samoa, New Zealand, American Samoa, Tonga, Australia, Niue, Cook Islands and Indonesia.
An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours.
Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this possibility.
The tsunami warning center will monitor sea level data from gauges near the earthquake to determine if a tsunami was generated and estimate the severity of the threat.
Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated.
It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicenter and could also be a threat to more distant coasts.
According to the ABC, a hospital director in the Solomons quoted by the AFP news agency said some villages in Solomon Islands have been destroyed.
A tsunami measuring 0.9 metres (3ft) has hit the Solomon Islands following an 8.0 quake.
All students in schools along the coastal areas should start moving to higher grounds.
This is according to Permanent Secretary for Education Dr Brij Lal.
School buses will be out to help students to reach home safely.
This is the confirmation from the Fiji Bus Association president Richard Lal.
Lal said that they have already issued the message to the different bus operators.
Hotels and resorts around the country have activated their evacuation plans.
Fiji Hoteliers and Tourism Association President Dixon Seeto said they are monitoring the situation.
The Public Service Commission has advised all civil servants to move to higher ground at this point.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
