Tonga largely unscathed as tropical cyclone Zena weakens Featured
Nuku'alofa, 7 April 2016. Tonga experienced heavy rain and high winds this morning but it appears cyclone Zena has weakened significantly as the remnants of the cyclone drift away from the country.
The Tonga Meteorological Service director, Ofa Fa'anunu, said at 10am this morning the cyclone still had a Category 2 structure.
He said the main island of Tongatapu was affected and 60 millimetres of rain was recorded in the capital Nuku'alofa around mid-morning.
"A couple of hours ago we had very strong winds, the winds were around 25 knots gusting to 40 with very heavy rain and then everything just stopped, the sky is starting to clear up now."
Ofa Fa'anunu said they are reviewing the status of Zena and says it no longer resembles a cyclone.
Police in Tonga had earlier warned the public to stay indoors and keep safe, and told the parents of students at Tupou High school and Queen Salote college, in the capital Nukualofa, to collect their children.
The police is also warning the public to stay away from any fallen power lines, and to report them to Tonga Power.
All Real Tonga domestic flights have been cancelled for the day, and customers were told to be on standby on Friday if the weather permits.
The police say USP campuses in Nuku'alofa, Vava'u and Ha'apai have been closed for the day.
RNZ
