Ono-I-Lau is currently experiencing strong winds up to 14 knots.

Commissioner Eastern Luke Moroivalu says according to information from officers on the ground; they begin to feel the strong winds from this morning.

Moroivalu confirms a total of 11 evacuations centers in the Southern Lau have been activated by the National Disaster Management Office last night.

These centers are in Ono-i-Lau, Vatoa, Fulaga, Namuka-I-Lau, Kabara, Komo, Ogea, Moce, Oneata, Lakeba and Moala.

Moroivalu says most of these centers are currently in use by villagers in the Southern Lau as they are being urged to move elderly before Cyclone Gita hits.
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Meanwhile, One hundred and twenty-nine villages in Tovu village on Totoya Island, Lau have sought shelter at three evacuation centers as Tropical Cyclone Gita approaches the Fiji waters.

Village Headman Lorima Tupou told FBC News the villagers have prepared well from last night and have sought shelter at the village hall, school and at the nursing station.

He says they have prepared well with extra clothes, food and water as well as spare batteries, lights and other necessities needed for cyclone.
Tupou says strong winds have picked up since this morning adding they’re seeing huge waves.

He says they’re also trying to ensure that a mother and her three month old baby is protected from the expected strong winds.

There are thirty-nine students on the island, four elderly people aged between 70 to 80 years and an eighteen year old teenager living with disability.

Also, villagers on Matokana village in Ono-i-Lau have started experiencing very strong winds this hour.

Village Headman Josefa Nadavo told FBC News breadfruits and coconuts have fallen off from trees while farms and crops have been completely destroyed.
He says there’s currently no movements on the island as the winds have picked up speed.

Nadavo says the strong winds have come with very heavy rain as eighty-two villagers are now sheltered in five evacuation centers in the village.

He says some elderly people suffering from stroke were rushed to evacuation centres when strong winds picked up.

Nadavo says there has been no damages to homes yet.