Threat from depression

Met services said late yesterday that the tropical depression located to the northwest of Palmerston is “still just a depression” but that it does have the potential to develop into a tropical cyclone in 12 hours.

The depression is located at 16.6 south and 163.6 west, or about 260 nautical miles west-northwest of Aitutaki and 90 nautical miles north- northwest of Palmerston. It is moving south-southeast at 5 knots and creating clockwise winds of up to 40 knots.

“It’s slow-moving, so the chances of it intensifying are pretty good,” police commissioner Maara Tetava said.

He said that if the depression does become a cyclone, it will likely impact Palmerston, Aitutaki and Rarotonga.

Palmerston and Aitutaki experienced strong winds gusting up to 40 knots, heavy rain and rough seas last night.

Tetava also said that police are considering sending a patrol boat to Nassau this afternoon to evacuate a person in need of medical attention.

“It’s a risky operation because we’ll be heading sideways of the depression,” he said “We’re going to try to outrun it, pick up the patient and get out of the way. It’s a high risk but it’s one that my people are trained for and willing to undertake.”

Police are monitoring the weather situation round-the-clock at the Emergency Operations Centre and have alerted the islands that are expected to be affected.