Results for Natural events

The heaviest rain dumped in Tongatapu over a 24-hour period so far this year was recorded today with the island receiving more than half of the month’s average rainfall, delaying the start of the school year for government schools.

Ten recruit fire fighters, including one woman, graduated on December 20, after completing training at the Central Fire Station in Longolongo, Nuku'alofa.

Tonga at COP23 last week in Bonn, Germany, called for the establishment of Climate Change as a core security issue and stressed the need for Small Island Developing States such as Tonga, to build resilience, warning that inaction "will ultimately result in our disappearance as a people and a culture".

Tonga may expect up to two cyclones in the coming cyclone season, according to the latest meteorological prediction. Tonga Met states there is a 40-50% chance that at least one of them could be a Severe Tropical Cyclone (Category 3 or above).

Meteorological services in the Pacific Islands have common challenges, and these will be discussed at the Fourth Pacific Meteorological Council Meeting in Honiara next week, says the chairman 'Ofa Fa'anunu, who is looking to strengthen communications services. By Linny Folau in Honiara

Tonga's busy Fire and Emergency Services received two fire trucks worth more than $90,000 pa’anga donated by the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Services yesterday, June 20.

A gale warning remains in force or Tongatapu, Ha’apai and ‘Eua, while a strong wind warning is in force for Niuas and Vava’u land areas today Tuesday, May 23. In Nuku’alofa, schools were closed due to heavy rain and strong winds.

As Tropical Cyclone Ella moves away from Tonga it is expected to weaken and track to the north of Vanua Levu in Fiji on Saturday.

It is unusual to see so many cyclones in the South Pacific at this time of the year, says Tonga's Director of Meteorology, 'Ofa Fa'anunu today, as northern Tonga remains on a Warning for Tropical Cyclone Ella [upgraded to Category 2 this evening 10 May 2017]. Tonga has not experienced an out of season cyclone since Severe Tropical Cyclone Keli in June 1997.