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 has been 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 now heading towards Rabi, Kioa and Taveuni.
Category 4 Hurricane Tomas is now in the Fiji group and the Eastern parts of Vanua Levu will also be affected, with winds strengthening even further.
A hurricane warning remained in force for the Eastern half of Vanua Levu, Cikobia, Taveuni, Rabi, Kioa, Yacata, Koro, Vanua Balavu, Gau, Batiki, Nairai, Wakaya, Makogai, Cicia, Lakeba, Kabara, Moala, Matuku, Totoya and nearby smaller islands.
A storm warning is in force for the rest of Vanua Levu, Ovalau and nearby smaller islands.
A gale warning remained in force for the rest of the Fiji group.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Tomas centre Category 4 was located near 15 decimal 5 South 179 decimal 4 West or about 160 kilometres North North East of Taveuni or 375 kilometres North East of Suva at 1pm 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 18 hours with momentary gusts up to 270 kilometres per hour.
The hurricane is intensifying and moving South at 9 kilometres per hour. On this track, the cyclone centre is expected to be located about 65 kilometres East North East of Taveuni or 285 kilometres North East of Suva at 1am tomorrow morning and about 135 kilometres South South East of Taveuni or 215 kilometres East North East of Suva at 1pm tomorrow.
For the Central Division, Prasad said winds will start strengthening in the division from this afternoon going into tonight and tomorrow.
You will also experience continuous heavy rain and sea flooding which will result in flash flooding.
He said the only consolation for the Central Division is that people in the division will not be affected by the core of the hurricane.
Damaging gale force winds which extend out very far off will affect them including the coral coast part of the Western division and Rakiraki.
Prasad said Hurricane Tomas will remain in the Fiji group tomorrow.
All schools throughout Fiji will be closed again tomorrow.
Education Minister Filipe Bole said after liaising with DISMAC and looking at the weather situation, they have decided that all schools will be closed tomorrow.
Permanent Secretary for the Public Service Commission, Parmesh Chand also confirmed that all civil servants with the exception of those involved in essential services and DISMAC are to stay home until further notice.
Close to 6000 take shelter at evacuation centres
Close to 6000 people are now taking shelter at evacuation centres in the Northern, Central and Eastern division.
At a briefing in the last hour, DISMAC Official Anthony Blake confirmed that evacuation centers are also being opened in Suva and in Ra.
Blake added that all schools are to remain closed tomorrow until further notice and all civil servants, except those in essential services, are to remain home tomorrow.
The Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has also given a directive that DISMAC is to try and use as less schools as possible as evacuation centers to ensure classes can resume as soon as Hurricane Tomas leaves the Fiji waters.
Blake also confirms that health services at the major hospital continue and arrangements will be made for make-shift mortuary's if the need arises.
He said the death of a woman in the Northern Division at the weekend is being attributed to Hurricane Tomas.
DISMAC said their main focus at this stage is the Northern division as they expected severe flooding in the Labasa area with high tide coming in at 6:30 this evening.
DISMAC also confirmed that there is a no fly order and all airline services will remain suspended until further notice.
Residents in North without electricity
Residents in the Northern Division are now without electricity as FEA has switched off power as a precautionary measure.
This is the confirmation from Commissioner Northern, Colonel Inia Seruiratu.
Colonel Seruiratu adds that people in the North should listen carefully to the weather updates and only move when it is safe.
Please do not be complacent as Hurricane Tomas is very slow moving.
The people of Vanua Levu are still facing heavy rain and the winds are still strong and the water levels continue to rise.
Commissioner Northern, Colonel Inia Seruiratu has confirmed that there are broken power lines on the road in Labasa near Labasa College and residents should be careful.
Colonel Seruiratu has also confirmed that evacuation centres in the North has increased to 97, from 90 at mid-day today.
Colonel Seruiratu adds that they are still unable to communicate with the people from Cikobia.
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 Councillior, 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 which is just a little off Taveuni, 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 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.
Curfew imposed
A curfew will be imposed for the Central and Eastern division from 8pm to 7am tomorrow morning.
Permanent Secretary for Information Lt. Col. Neumi Leweni confirmed in the last hour that the curfew for the Northern division remains in place and there will be no curfew imposed on the Western division.
Leweni said only those in essential services will be issued passes to move around during the curfew period.
