Cyclone hits Tonga twice

NUKU‘ALOFA – Tonga is getting smashed by Cyclone Winston which has double backed and intensified – and Fiji is preparing for the Category Four storm to hit its islands over the weekend.

Winston was reported to have grown to a Category Four storm, the second highest level, when it struck Tonga’s northern islands late on Thursday local time, according to Tonga Meteorological Services.

The Tongan weather bureau said was expecting winds to reach as high as 95-110 kilometres an hour, while heavy rains were also forecast.

The Fiji Meteorological Service said Tropical Cyclone Winston was expected to pass over Fiji Saturday morning local time.

Close to its centre, the cyclone is estimated to have average winds of 175 kilometres an hour and momentary gusts to 250 kilometres an hour according to the latest weather warning from the Fiji Meteorological Service.

Weather reports say destructive winds may begin several hours before the cyclone centre passes over head or nearby.

Tonga’s emergency services have only just cleared debris from Cyclone Winston’s first trip through the northern islands and now they are getting an even worse bashing.

Winston turned back towards Tonga after passing through the northern islands of the group earlier this week.

Earlier, ‘Atunaisa Taumoepeau from the Tongan Police said emergency services had shifted from response to preparation mode.

“Police and fire services as well as the defence in the northern islands of Vava’u completed clearing the first part of the visiting from Hurricane Winston earlier this week. What we are focused on now is to prepare for a stronger hurricane.”

At least 63 families in Vava’u and 35 families in Ha’apai are already in shelters according to Tonga police.

The cyclone is hitting Tonga at a time when there is a state of emergency over concerns at the spread of the Zika virus in the kingdom. The bad weather means efforts to clean up mosquito breeding sites have had to be put on hold.

Meanwhile, the tropical gale warning previously in force for Niue is now cancelled.

- PNC sources