Government advice people to move before its too late ^Featured

 Cyclone Tino was upgraded to Category 2 at 10pm on Friday night as it passed the North of Udu Point on the island of Vanua Levu in Fiji and it is now upgraded to Category 3.

After briefing from the Director of Tonga Meteorology (Tonga MET) Ofa Fa’anunu, Hon Tei said it is critical now that all those who need to move to evacuation centres move when it is still daylight.

He said this was critical for safety.

“We would like to remind and advise everyone who need to move to centres to start moving now,” Hon Tei said.

“That is important because moving when the winds are stronger and the downpour is heavier and when it is dark will be very hard.

“That might be too late.”

Mr Fa’anunu told the National Emergency Management Committee (NEMC) at the NEMO Office that Cyclone Tino is already affecting the Tonga group.

“We are feeling the cyclone now, with the winds coming in and the rain,” Mr Fa’anunu said.

“People need to understand that, we are already experiencing a cyclone.

“The only thing is that the cyclone center is still moving towards Tonga but the effect of the cyclone is already being felt now.”

All evacuation centres in Ha’apai, ‘Eua and Togatapu are open today as Cyclone Tino moves closer to the islands.

On its current track the cyclone is expected to impact Tongatapu and ‘Eua, with Ha’apai also feeling the brunt of winds close to the edges.

The Chief Executive Officer for MEIDECC Paula Ma’u said peoples’ safety is paramount.

“That is the focus. We have to emphasise to people the importance of being safe,” he said.

“That means we need to take action now as the cyclone moves closer to us.”

The Director of NEMO Mafua-‘i-Vai’utukakau Maka said all first respondents including Tonga Police Force, His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Tonga Red Cross, Tonga Fire and Emergency Services, Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Latter Day Saints of Jesus Christ church are ready to assist.

“We are basically prepared and our teams on the ground are also ready,” he said.

“All our team members are on standby to help and assist.”

He said Tonga Power Limited is also monitoring the situation, with possibility that power supply will be cut off tonight when the winds pick up. Other utilities such as Communications: Tonga Cable Limited, Tonga Communication Corporation, Digicel Tonga and broadcast are also ready to assist.

At the same time he added that the teams are also on standby for initial assessments once the cyclone passes.

Everyone is urged to continue to listen to Radio Tonga 1 and 2 for updates on the cyclone or follow Tonga MET on the website or Facebook Page.

- MEIDECC