People in the Northern division continue to feel very strong winds and continous heavy rain, which are now the direct effects of Hurricane Tomas.
This situation is expected to remain for the Northern division for a number of hours tonight going into early tomorrow as the hurricane moves slowly.
Nadi Weather Office Director, Rajendra Prasad said the full brunt of Hurricane Tomas was felt in Cikobia earlier today.
He confirmed that Tomas is near Udu Point.
Category 4 Hurricane Tomas remains in the Fiji group and the Eastern parts of Vanua Levu will also be affected, with winds strengthening even further now.
A hurricane warning remains in force for Cikobia, Eastern tip of Vanua Levu, Rabi, Kioa, Taveuni, Qamea, Laucala, Naitauba, Yacata, Kanacea, Mago, Cicia, Batiki, Matuku, Totoya and nearby smaller islands.
A storm warning is in force for the Eastern half of Vanua Levu,Koro,Makogai, Gau, Vanuabalavu, Nayau, Lakeba, Kabara and nearby smaller islands.
A gale warning remains in force for the Eastern half of Viti Levu, Beqa, kadavu and the rest of the Lau and Lomaiviti group.
A strong wind warning is in force for the rest of the Fiji group.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Tomas centre Category 4 was located near 16 decimal 3 South 179 decimal 5 West or about 125 East of Labasa or 300 kilometres North East of Suva at 8:30pm today.
Close to its centre, Tomas is estimated to have average winds of 175 kilometres per hour increasing to 200 kilometres per hour within the next 12 hours with momentary gusts up to 270 kilometres per hour.
The hurricane is intensifying and moving South at 10 kilometres per hour.
On this track, the cyclone centre is expected to be located about 210 kilometres East North of Suva or 120 kilometres North west of Lakeba at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning and about 150 kilometres South Southwest of Lakeba or 260 kilomerters East Southeast of Suva at 9pm tomorrow evening.
For the Central Division, Prasad said winds will start strengthening in the division from tonight and tomorrow.
You will also experience continuous heavy rain and sea flooding which will result in flash flooding.
The next special weather bulletin to pin point the exact location of Hurricane Tomas will be issued at mid night by the Nadi weather office.
Prasad also explains that the system is quite large and the area that the hurricane is covering is quite large.
The radius of the system from the eye is about 120 kilometres and he said people need to take this into account.
More from this day
Stories published on 15/03/2010
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Strong winds still being felt15/03/2010 23:07 -
Arrangements made for stranded tourists15/03/2010 22:57 -
Nearly 6000 people in evacuation centres15/03/2010 22:55 -
Hurricane Tomas nears Udu Point15/03/2010 22:14 -
All forms of communications cut off for Vanua Levu15/03/2010 21:58 -
North feels full brunt of Tomas15/03/2010 20:09 -
North feels full brunt of Tomas15/03/2010 20:08 -
North feeling direct effects of Tomas15/03/2010 18:02 -
North feeling direct effects of Hurricane Tomas15/03/2010 18:01 -
Labasa Police help residents move to evacuation centres15/03/2010 17:19
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