Category 2 Tropical Cyclone Tino was located 190 kilometres East of Labasa or 100 kilometres North of Vanua Balavu in Lau earlier this morning.
A Tropical Cyclone Warning is still in force for the whole of Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti groups.
The Nadi Weather Office has cancelled the Tropical Cyclone Warning for the Eastern Half of Viti Levu.
Close to it’s centre, the cyclone is expected to have damaging winds gusting to 140 kilometres per hour.
Tino is moving East-South East at about 33 kilometres per hour.
Expect damaging winds and continuous heavy rain over Vanua Levu, Lau group and nearby islands this morning.
Please also note that damaging winds will be felt before and after the centre of the cyclone passes over the Fiji Group.
Strong winds may cause loose objects to fly, damage to root crops and break tree branches.
It may even cause damages to weak structures and blow away roofs when it intensifies to damaging winds later this morning.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for the Fiji Group.
Flash flooding of low lying areas and sea flooding should be expected along coastal areas especially during high tides.
A flash flood warning remains in force for all low lying areas, low streams and flood-prone areas for the whole of Fiji.
Projected Track
The Nadi Weather Office says on its forecasted track, the centre of Tropical Cyclone Tino is expected to be located 260 kilometres East-South East of Lakeba at midday today.
SITUATION REPORT
Vanua Balavu in Lau still experiencing strong winds with light showers as TC Tino passes through Lau Group
By: Shanil Singh
Vanua Balavu Island in Lau is still experiencing strong winds with light showers as Category 2 Tropical Cyclone Tino passes through the Lau Group.
Viliame Kaseni who is a teacher at Adi Maopa Secondary School in Lomaloma says last night they experienced heavy rain with strong winds and rough seas.
Kaseni says there were no damages to the school and all students are safe as they were sent home at 12pm yesterday.
He says they were well prepared for this cyclone as they had learned their lesson when TC Winston hit Fiji in 2016.
The owner of the Moana’s Guesthouse in Lomaloma, Tevita Fotofili also says the wind has started to slow down.
Nukubalavu villagers living close to the shore evacuated after concerns of sea flooding
By: Navitalai Naivalurua
Villagers of Nukubalavu in Savusavu have evacuated families who are living close to the shore as they are concerned about sea flooding.
Villager, Josefa Matia says some of these families are now residing with their relatives who are living inside the village while others are being sheltered at the Village Hall.
He says they are continuing to experience strong winds and rain.
Matia says they have prepared well for this cyclone.
There continues to be strong winds there - Goundar
By: Semi Turaga
The Head Teacher of South Taveuni Primary School Ravinesh Goundar says there continues to be strong winds there.
899 people in 24 evacuation centres in the North
By: Navitalai Naivalurua
Police on standby in the North [Photo:Fiji Police Force]
899 people are currently staying in 24 evacuation centres in the Northern Division.
This has been confirmed by the Acting Commissioner Northern, Uraia Rainima who says heavy rain is being experienced in Vanua Levu tonight and people in low lying areas have moved to an evacuation centre close to them to survive the night.
He says their focus right now is in the north-east of Vanua Levu which is expected to be the path of TC Tino.
He says they have not received any reports of people missing in the Northern Division.
Rainima adds all their teams have been activated and they are on the ground assisting people.
Northern division experiences strong winds and heavy rain
By: Navitalai Naivalurua
[Photo:Walter Gerard]
We are getting reports of people in the Northern division experiencing strong winds and heavy rain.
Josefa Matia who resides in Nukubalavu village in Savusavu says they started experiencing heavy rain and strong winds this afternoon.
He says there has not been any reports of damages in the village but they have already discussed that if there is a need they will use their meeting hall as the evacuation centre.
There are 15 houses in Nukubalavu village in Savusavu.
Teachers and their families near Korokadi Primary School in Bua safe
By: Semi Turaga
All teachers and their families residing near Korokadi Primary School in Bua are safe.
Head Teacher Sanjay Kumar says they experienced strong winds and heavy rain this evening and they are also on standby as the school is an evacuation centre.
Vunivau Sanatan Dharam Primary School in Bua on standby for people who need shelter
By:Shanil Singh
The Vunivau Sanatan Dharam Primary School in Bua which is as an evacuation centre is on standby for people who need to take shelter there.
Yogendra Sami who is a teacher there says winds were calm during the day but it is intensifying at the moment.
Sami says no one is at the evacuation centre at the moment but he is expecting people to come later in the night.
He says there are six teachers with their families who live in separate teachers quarters near the school and they will be willing to help those who are in need.
Sami says people can call him on 8790612 if they feel they cannot come to the centre on their own.
He says there have been signs of flooding in the area.
2 families take shelter at Vuetikorovatu Memorial Church in Nadilo Village in Qamea as they experience damaging winds
By:Semi Turaga
[Photo:Solo Naibuka]
Two families are now taking shelter at Vuetikorovatu Memorial Church in Nadilo Village in Qamea as they are now experiencing damaging winds.
Villager Solo Naibuka says they have thirty people there and they moved the two families to take shelter in the church earlier today.
Solo Naibuka speaking from Nadilo Village in Qamea
Roads
By: Semi Turaga
The Queens and Kings Highways are open but a number of roads and crossings in the Northern Division are closed to due flooding.
The Fiji Roads Authority has confirmed that Queens Highway at Vunaniu Flats is now open to two lanes.
It says finishing works will start later today.
Waibula crossing in Taveuni is flooded.
Dama crossing along the Natewa Health Centre is also closed due to flooding.
[Photo:Fiji Roads Authority]
The Dreketilailai, Qawa and Urata crossings in Labasa are flooded.
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
National EMergency Operation Centre: 3319250
Divisional EOC Central: 5332
Divisional EOC West: 450-3327
Divisional EOC Eastern: 777-5485 / 331-3400
Divisional EOC Northern: 881-1322 / 881-1005
POLICE COMMAND CENTERS
Western : 990-5457
Northern : 990-5722
Southern : 990-5529
Eastern : 990-5563
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