Ferocious winds and heavy rain have unleashed havoc across Rarotonga bringing a destructive end to the month of May.

Multiple residents have experienced localised flooding, damage to power lines, as well as the toppling of trees due to strong winds and heavy downpours, with thunderstorms threatening from above.

On Monday evening, wind gusts reaching up to 29 knots or 53 kilometres per hour lashed parts of Rarotonga, tearing down power poles, trees, and branches.

Cook Islands News understands that two power poles, along with some trees were toppled on Monday, with another tree taking down a power line outside the Prime Minister’s Office in Tutakimoa on Tuesday.

Cook Islands Meteorology Service reported Rarotonga can expect heavy showers and thunderstorms to continue this week with some areas on flood watch.

Cook Islands Meteorology Service director Arona Ngari said the southern group can expect heavy wet weather, with the northern group expecting occasional showers and possible isolated thunderstorms.

“A trough or depression was associated with the trough line that passed through Rarotonga last night (Monday) between 8pm and 10pm,” said Ngari.

“The majority of the rainfall was done around 10pm. 

“We also have some thunderstorms and lightning that was associated with the seabed clouds, which normally produce this kind of thing,” he said.

“The cloud ban is going to stay around for a while, so we can expect some showers with thunderstorms and rain until Thursday, and then we will have a break on Friday with more showers expected over the weekend.”   

According to Te Aponga Uira, none of the power poles brought down on Monday were by the weather event.

Cook Islands News reached out to Te Aponga Uira for further comment about the power line taken down outside the Prime Ministers’ Office, but received no response.

Ngari said people need to be careful when experiencing wet weather, as anything can happen.

He confirmed that a low-pressure system moving across the Cook Islands is the reason the wet weather will continue and remain for a few more days.

Ngari warned that people living in areas prone to flooding should be mindful of heavy downpours and strong winds.

He advised that people need to keep an eye on what weather warnings are being issued by the Meteorology Service.