A Gale force warning remains in place for Cikobia, Taveuni, Vanua Levu and nearby smaller islands and northern Lau Group and now is in force for Yasawa and the Mamanuca Groups and Northern half of Viti Levu and nearby smaller islands.

A Tropical Cyclone alert remains in force for rest of Viti Levu and the Lomaiviti Group.

A Strong wind warning remains in place for the rest of Fiji and damaging heavy swell warning remains in force for Fiji.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Evan was located near about 295km Northeast of Cikobia and 405km Northeast of Labasa at 10am today.

The cyclone is moving West-Southwest at about 18km/hr.

Close to its centre, the cyclone is expected to have average winds of up to 165km/hr with gusts up to 230km/hr.

On this track, Cyclone Evan is expected to be located about 115knm North NorthWest of Cikobia or about 190km North of Labasa at 10pm today and about 75 km North-North West of Yasawa or about 170km West-NorthWest of Labasa or 190km North-NorthEast of Nadi at 10am tomorrow.

Destructive winds may begin several hours before the cyclone centre passes overhead or nearby.

For Cikobia, Vanua League, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, northern Lau group, Yasawa and Mamanuca group, northern half Viti Levu and nearby smaller islands, damaging gale force winds with average of up to 75km/hr and gusts of up to 100km/hr and rain becoming frequent and heavy with flooding of low lying areas could take place.

For the rest of Viti Levu and the Lomaiviti Group, strong winds with speeds up to 55km/hr and gusts up to 85km/hr will start from later today.

Here’s Nadi Met Office director Alipate Waqaicelua

“At this stage we’ve got cyclone Evan just to the north of Wallis and Futuna and at this stage is still at category four. Still heading towards the west south west at 20km per hour. At this stage it is keeping to the north of Fiji for tonight and into tomorrow it will come down to the west of Yasawas and Viti Levu from tomorrow, most of tomorrow and Tuesday slip further south. This stage we’re putting out warnings particularly for northern Lau, Vanua Levu,Taveuni, Yasawa, Mamanucas as well as the northern half of Viti Levu for damage gale force winds.”