.gif)
Hurricane Tomas is currently battering Rabi, Kioa and Taveuni packing winds up to 230kmph. At 4am Tuesday, the eye of the storm was 2km from Laucala island.
Heavy rain and rising sea levels were also recorded in the area, with almost all the trees on Kioa island uprooted.
The roof of the Taveuni health centre was blown off and a mango tree fell on the Savusavu health centre.
Public Works ministry confirmed Buca bay road was closed due to flooding.
Electricity supply to Rabi, Labasa and Savusavu were still out as strong winds make it impossible for workers to be outdoors.
Electricity authority spokesperson John O’Connor told FijiLive it was “too risky” for them to attend to any repair works.
“We hope to go out when the weather improves,” O’Connor said.
The second Telecom transmission in the north was destroyed by strong winds, affecting Easytel and mobile networks in the area.
By 1am Tuesday, total number of evacuation centres in the Northern division increased to 118, with number of evacuees at 6887.
Weather officials say the Category 4 storm was travelling at 10kmph, taking a south-westerly route in to the Lomaiviti and Lau groups.
It is expected to be 190km east of Suva by 3pm Tuesday, as it drifts towards Viti Levu.
