3.02pm: Ron Sneddon of Mt Eden is staying at the Fiji Intercontinental Hotel, north of Singatoka.
He writes to nzherald.co.nz

"The hotel is locked down and guests not allowed to leave their rooms. People in beachfront rooms have been evacuated to safer rooms within the resort.
"Fierce winds and driving rain has been going on since breakfast time. Currently we have no food, other than potato chips, peanuts and alcohol - should be right for days with that lot.
"Hotel management are extremely well prepared and communicating updates to us via the public address system. We are expecting food parcels to be delivered later this afternoon.
"We have been told to expect the worst of it from 6pm. Its my birthday tomorrow and I reckon the mini bar will be cleared out by then - donations gratefully accepted."
2.49pm: A bulk carrier ship has been run aground on the edge of a reef in the Suva Harbour. The Fiji Times reported that the carrier, the Starford, started dragging its anchor at about 11.30am, losing its battle to stay afloat just recently.

[link to www.nzherald.co.nz]