A Hurricane warning is now in place for the Northern Half of Viti Levu.

This as Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston continues to batter the Fiji Islands.

The category five cyclone was located 50KM Southwest of Taveuni or about 175km Northeast of Suva at 1pm today.

The cyclone is moving West at about 25km/hr and close to its centre, the cyclone is estimated to have an average winds of 230km/hr and momentary gusts to 325km/hr.

On this track, the cyclone is expected to be located about 65km Southeast of Yasawa-i-Rara or about 80km Northeast of Nadi at 1am tomorrow and about 140km West-Northwest of Yasawa-i-Rara or about 100km West-Northwest of Nadi at 1pm tomorrow.

A Hurricane warning is force for Vanua Levu, Taveuni and the nearby smaller islands, Northern half of Viti Levu, Ovalau, Gau, Batiki, Nairai, Koro, Vanuabalavu, Yacata, Mago, Cicia, Tuvuca, Nayau and Vanuavatu.

A storm warning remains in force for Lakeba, Oneata, Moce, Komo, Namuka, Ogea, Moala, Southern Half of Viti Levu, Yasawa and Mamanuca Group.

A Gale warning remains in force for the rest of Fiji along with a heavy rain warning for the country.

Meanwhile, a flood warning is now in force for the low lying areas and smaller streams adjacent to Dewala Station and low lying areas downstream of Labasa River.

The Dewala River levels as at 3pm was 4.5m, which is 0.5m above the warning level and increasing.

A flood alert is now force for the low lying areas adjacent to Labasa Town.