New Zealand says it is ready to assist Fiji and Vanuatu as Cyclone Harold continues to cause havoc across the two countries.
New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji, Jonathan Curr, tweeted there was alot going on "but we face this together".
He said the "Kiwi vuvale (family)" was getting ready to provide emergency humanitarian and disaster relief to the Fijian government.
Earlier today a New Zealand Air Force plane left for Vanuatu to help them in the aftermath of the cyclone was had earlier tore through the country as a category five storm.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, said a P3 Orion had left to carry out a surveillance flight.
$US300,000 had also been released to help with immediate relief.
A Hercules was also on standby with disaster relief, should it be requested.
Mr Peters said serious consideration was being given to ensure any response didn't spread Covid-19.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force P3 Orion aircraft on its way to take off at Pearce Airbase on Sunday to aid in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Photo: Pool / AFP
Cyclone Harold had now moved on to Fiji, as a category four storm, and had caused widespread flooding and damage to homes in its wake.
Around midday, the storm was located 120 kilometres from Nadi and contained winds of up to 195km/hr.
The National Disaster Management Office said it had activated evacuation centres across the country.
More than 1000 people have sought shelter at the centres, it said.
The NDMO said reports were still coming in from around Fiji on the extent of the damage caused by Harold.
A Nausori school suffers damage from Cyclone Harold Photo: FIJI NDMO
The Ba River and its surrounding creeks burst their banks and the town is flooded. Police tried to prevent people from entering the town.
Several roads had been closed due to power lines and trees brought down. Landslides have been reported outside Suva, it said.
Nadi was without power and low-lying areas in Suva and Nausori were flooded while homes have suffered damage.
Earlier, the NDMO urged villagers on remote islands who had not moved to higher ground to do so now.
The NDMO said it had advised village headmen and community leaders to evacuate their people to safe and higher grounds.
It said a significant storm surge is expected and would prove dangerous for those living in coastal areas.
"We are urging people living on Kadavu, Vatulele, southern Lau, Ono-i-Lau, from Momi to Pacific Harbour, Beqa, Moala, Matuku, Totoya and Vanuavatu to be prepared for damaging gale force winds."
With a lockdown in place, the NDMO said the main island Viti Levu was now on restricted movement.
It said only emergency services would be allowed on the roads to avoid casualties.
The NDMO urged people to remain indoors including those at evacuation centres.
A house destroyed from Cyclone Harold in Fiji Photo: FIJI NDMO
Meanwhile, police warned anyone found loitering during the cyclone would be arrested.
Earlier Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho said he was concerned people continued to violate the Covid-19 lockdown and curfew restrictions.
Police arrested 51 people overnight for breaching the curfew from 8pm-5am.
Mr Qiliho said police would continue to man checkpoints and roadblocks across the country.
He said police were also assisting in rescue and evacuation operations during the storm.