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Weather

Rain eases but strong wind warning in force for south

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Mateialona Rd. 4 April 2018.

Rain is slowly easing today on Tongatapu after a bout of heavy rain, which has fallen almost continuously since the end of last week, causing widespread flooding especially in low lying areas.

Roads around Nuku’alofa were still flooded today, although the water should start subsiding as rain eases over the next few days.

The flooding revealed that drains in many places throughout Nuku'alofa remain blocked or are unable to cope with the heavy persistent rain. By Pass Road was closed by authories in the area of the Ministry of Infrastructure and St. Andrews High School due to extreme flooding. In the upper Railway Road area drains were delivering flash flood waters to the Pahu area, instead of removing the water. Many areas throughout the capital remain flooded.

A low-pressure system that triggered the rain is continuing to move on. Tonga’s Meteorological Department 1:00pm forecast today said that ex-Tropical Cyclone Josie is located 400km south-west of Nuku’alofa and is moving southeast at a speed of 16 km/hr.

The forecast for Tongatapu and ‘Eua tomorrow is mainly fine with cloudy periods and few isolated showers. On Friday, the outlook is also mainly fine with cloudy periods.

However, Tonga MET says a gale wind warning is still in force for the southern areas of Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau, and a strong wind warning is in place for Tongatapu and ‘Eua.

Vava'u and Ha'apai

Vava’u and Ha’apai are forecast to experience occasional rain, with possible heavy falls with thunderstorms. Winds are expected to be light to moderate north to northwest. On Friday, it is expected to be cloudy with occasional rain with possible heavy rain falls and thunderstorm. Fresh to strong west to northwest winds are expected and gusty at times.

For the Niuas, the forecast tomorrow is cloudy with possible scattered showers and light to moderate north to northwest winds. On Friday, it is expected to be mostly cloudy with scattered showers with winds light to moderate north to northwest winds.