vaianua0246.gif Vuna Road, exposed to the force of Cyclone Vaianu this morning
vaianu0256.gif Flooded rugby field at Tupou High School Vaololoa, didn't stop the play

Tonga's capital was shut down for two days by Cyclone Vaianu, which brought damaging gale force winds and heavy rain, with flooding in many areas of southern Tonga.

Shops and offices in Nuku'alofa closed and boarded up their windows on Monday morning as Vaianu moved south on a track about 100 kms to the east of Tonga. The capital's power supply was shutdown at about midday on Monday for 36 hours as the cyclone moved closer to Tongatapu. Heavy gale force winds battered Tongatapu on Monday night causing extensive damage to trees and bringing down breadfruit, avocados, mangos and other fruits, flattening bananas and damaging other food crops. Billboards were blown over near the Royal Palace and shops signs damaged with water damage to buildings.

Tonga Meteorological Office reported that Tropical Cyclone Vaianu was130 miles to the South South West of Nuku'alofa at 6 pm Tuesday. Its centre was at 23.3 South Latitude and 175.6 West Longtitude. Vaianu has an average speed of 70 knots near its centre, but it is expected to increase to 75 knots within the next 12 hours. Vaianu is moving south east at 8 to 10 knots. In its current path it will be about 175 miles to the south of Tongatapu at midnight Tuesday.

Heavy rain is expected at the west north west of Tongatapu and 'Eua, and there will be more flooding in low lying areas. Meanwhile, a strong wind warning is still in force for Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu, Vava'u and Ha'apai.

Due to the power shut down we regret Matangi Tonga Online was unable to deliver news for the last two days.