Severe Tropical Cyclone Gita remains a Category 4 system having passed over Tonga, however this is expected to intensify to a Category 5 over open waters.

Director Meteorological Services Ravind Kumar says on it current track, TC Gita is expected to be located 80 km south east of Ono-i-Lau and about 60km north west of Ono-i-Lau around midday today.

At midnight tonight, its expected to be about 150km west of Ono-i-Lau and 240km south-east of Kadavu.

Rains are expected to become heavy at times and more frequent as the cyclone approaches.

TC Gita was located about 200 km east south east of Ono-l- Lau or 570 km east south east of Kadavu and moving westwards towards the Southern Lau group at 25km this morning.

Kumar says in terms of winds, expect destructive hurricane force winds over Ono-i-Lau and Vatoa from later today.

Destructive storm force winds expected over the rest of the Lau Group and winds strengthening to damaging gale force for Matuku, Vatoa, Moala, Lakeba, Nayau, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.

Mariners can expect Hurricane Forces and Phenomenal Seas within 50 nautical miles of the centre of TC Gita.

Storm force winds, very high seas, Gale force winds, high seas also expected.

The public are further advised to stay listening to weather updates as information comes to hand.