The centre of Category 1 Tropical Cyclone Tino is now located 210 kilometres South South East of Rotuma or about 300 kilometres North West of Labasa, and the cyclone continues to move closer to the Fiji Group.
The Nadi Weather Office has issued a Tropical Cyclone Warning for the Eastern half of Viti Levu which includes Suva, Navua, Nausori and Tailevu, the whole of Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Cikobia and nearby smaller islands, Rotuma, Yasawa, Lau and the Lomaiviti Group while a Tropical Cyclone Alert remains in force for the rest of Fiji.
TC Tino is moving South-Southeast towards us at about 20 kilometres per hour.
Close to its centre, TC Tino is expected to have average winds of upto 75 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts to 100 kilometres per hour.
People in the Eastern half of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Rotuma, Yasawa, Lau and the Lomaiviti Group can expect damaging winds from this afternoon, so please take all the necessary precautions.
Caption:Compilation of Naboutini Stretch along Queens Highway lastnight
A strong wind warning remains in place for the rest of Fiji.
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 today.
The cyclone is expected to make landfall over Vanua Levu today, and the effects will be felt over Vanua Levu, Viti Levu and nearby smaller islands. Please take necessary precautions now as damaging winds and continuous heavy rain will affect Fiji several hours before and after the centre of the cyclone passes over us.
Expect flash flooding of low lying areas and sea flooding along coastal areas especially during high tides on the onset of damaging winds.
Please note a flash flood warning remains in force for all the low lying areas, small streams and flood-prone areas for the whole of Fiji.
People living in the low lying areas and small streams in the upper Wainimala River, please take precautions as a flood warning is in place for you.
A heavy rain warning remains in place for Fiji.
Stay with us for developments.
Education Ministry announces all schools in the Eastern Division will be closed from midday today
By Vijay Narayan
The Ministry of Education has announced that all schools in the Eastern Division will be closed from midday today.
The Ministry says that due to the current weather condition affecting the Fiji Group, and with its forecast track to directly impact the Northern Division, the decision has been made to close schools in the Eastern Division which includes Kadavu, Lau, Lomaviti and Ovalau.
We have also asked the National Disaster Management Office on schools in Eastern Viti Levu as those areas also have a cyclone warning.
These areas include Suva, Navua, Nausori and Tailevu. We advise parents to please make the necessary arrangements.
The NDMO says in cases where it is too late to send boarding students home due to the adverse weather, the Education Ministry says it would be advisable to keep the students at the school boarding facilities.
This is a precautionary measure that the Ministry is taking to ensure that the lives of school children and staff are safe during this time.
Situation Report
Devastating effects of TC Tino already felt in Rotuma
By Vijay Narayan and Naveel Krishant
The devastating effects of Tropical Cyclone Tino is already being felt in Rotuma.
Oinafa Jetty in Rotuma has been badly damaged by storm surges and damaging winds.
A wooden and corrugated iron structure at the jetty is also completely damaged.
We are getting reports from the ground in Rotuma that there are storm surges, sea flooding, damaging winds and heavy rain.
We're prepared for TC Tino and evacuation centres are on standby if needed - Rainima
By Navitalai Naivalurua/Vijay Narayan and Naveel Krishant
Acting Commissioner Northern, Uraia Rainima says bus services have ceased in Vanua Levu as they prepare for Cyclone Tino.
Rainima says they are advising people to go home and stay safe.
He says they are also liaising with the business community in the Northern Division and they expect Labasa and Savusavu towns to be empty soon.
Rainima adds that they have received reports that strong winds have been felt in some areas and they have also experienced heavy rain.
He further adds that people living along low lying areas have been advised to move to higher grounds.
Rainima says that currently there is one evacuation centre open on Rabi Island and other evacuation and emergency operations are on standby.
We have a team on standby in case of any emergency situation - Racule
By: Pratika Mala
Acting CEO of Nausori Town Council, Lydia Racule says they have a team on standby in case of any emergency situation.
She says they are working closely with Commissioner Central and Police will take the necessary action to close Nausori Town after confirmation from them.
Racule says they currently have teams out checking on drainage and cutting of branches.
Queens and Kings highways open however only single lanes along Vunaniu Flats in Serua
By Navitalai Naivalurua
The Fiji Roads Authority says the Queens and Kings highways are open however please note there are only single lanes along Vunaniu Flats in Serua.
Four roads are closed in the Central Division - they include Waidradra Crossing and Watiqolo Crossing in Naitasiri which are currently under water, Waiwatu Crossing in Naitasiri and Naqelewai Crossing in Naitasiri where a landslide has occurred.
FRA says they will be monitoring the water level and their teams are in Naqelewai clearing the landslip.
Navilawa Road Crossing 3 and Arolevu Crossing in Nadi are closed to all traffic due to flooding.
FRA says they will be monitoring the situation of the roads for all the divisions and they are urging the public to remain vigilant and listen to the advice of the emergency services.
People of Fiji starting to prepare for Category 1 Tropical Cyclone Tino
By: Navitalai Naivalurua
As Tropical Cyclone Tino moves closer to Fiji, people of Vanua Levu are starting to prepare for the category one cyclone.
People in Mataniwai Village in Macuata are taking necessary precautions.
Villager, Osea Lautiki says last night there was heavy rain however this has slowed down.
Meanwhile, Saqani Villager, Joeli Drokamainasau says the weather is calm at the moment.
Drokamainasau says they have done their preparations after hearing the warnings, and they are prepared for TC Tino.
Police search for school teacher and daughter who are believed to have been swept away by strong currents in Serua
By Naveel Krishant
Police are searching for a school teacher from Nuku Secondary School and his daughter who are believed to have been swept away by strong currents yesterday afternoon.
Police say the two were trying to cross the Wainikavou Creek in Serua when the incident happened.
The matter was reported at the Navua Police Station by the Principal of Nuku Secondary School.
Police say their Search and Rescue team is facing difficulties in reaching the area due to flooding and the Tubarua Bridge in Nuku is also underwater.
Police are advising members of the public to remain alert and vigilant and to take advisories seriously.
People in the Western, Eastern and Central divisions to use own discretion on whether their children should go to school - NDMO
By Priteshni Nand and Rashika Kumar
The National Disaster Management Office is advising parents and guardians of children residing in the Western, Eastern and Central divisions to use their own discretion and refrain sending children to school if their safety could be compromised.
NDMO Director, Vasiti Soko says all schools in the Northern Division remain closed today.
The Queens and Kings highways are open however please note there are only single lanes along Vunaniu Flats, Talenaua and Korovisilou.
Soko says people still need to take precautionary measures while travelling.
She says for civil servants, the various ministries will have to make their own decisions on whether to operate as normal or with less staff depending on the weather situation.
She is reminding parents to take care of their children and not to let them cross flooded rivers.
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