Tropical Cyclone Ella has strengthened to a category-two storm with gusts of up to 130km/h, Fiji's MetService says.
Photo: Fiji Met Service
At 6am (local time), the cyclone was 430km northeast of Vanua Belavu and moving west southwest towards Fiji at 12km/h.
MetService said a tropical cyclone alert remained in force for Lau and the Lomaiviti group, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands.
These places can expect strong southeasterly winds with average speeds of 45km/h gusting to 80km/h which are predicted to increase to damaging gale-force winds from this evening.
Fiji's Chief of Operations, Rusiate Tudravu, told FBC News people needed to take the necessary precautions for heavy rain and flash flooding in low lying areas.
Cyclone Ella passed close by Tonga's most northern island group last night, the Niuas, where up to 700 people live.
In Samoa, a heavy rain warning was in effect on Wednesday after the country's weather authorities warned flooding was possible in vulnerable areas.
A Samoan Disaster Management Office spokesperson said landslides were possible and people living on land that could be affected should consider moving to safer areas.
Meanwhile, as Cyclone Donna passed New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands further east than forecast, alerts were lifted and many schools had reopened.
