Update: 4:59PM CYCLONE Tomas is expected to cause damaging winds over the Fiji Group in about 36 hours.
Weather experts say the cyclone will have damaging winds of up to 65km per hour near the centre.
Tomas is moving towards Fiji from the north-northwest and currently lies about 110km north of the French territory of Wallis.
At 8am tomorrow Tomas - on its current track - should be less than 200km north of Udu Point.
Winds and rain generated by the cylone will affect the group at that time.
Projections by weather monitors in Australia and New Zealand are that Tomas will pick up speed overnight and begin to move at 10knots.
Wind speeds close to the centre shpuld also intensify overnight.
The Nadi Weather Forecasting Centre's last report on Tomas was made at 7pm last night.
Meanwhile, DISMAC officials have set up operations with a skeleton staff in Labasa and will call for extra support if it is needed.
In Suva the Health Ministry closed health centres and will treat emergency cases at the CWM Hospital.