Tonga's northern islands prepare for destructive winds ^Featured

The system, a category two, was located about 230 kilometres north-northwest of the capital, Nuku'alofa, and aboout 105 kilometres west-southwest of Late on Tuesday afternoon. It was moving northeast at about 26 kilometres an hour towards Vava'u, where it was expected to arrive late on Tuesday night.

The cyclone is packing winds as high as 130 kilometres an hour at its centre, and the director of the National Emergency Management Office, Leveni 'Aho, said it had already caused some minor damage and flooding in low-lying areas of Tongatapu and Ha'apai.

In its latest special weather bulletin, the Tonga Meteorological Service said strong wind, heavy rain, rough seas, and flash flood warnings remained in force for Tongatapu, 'Eua, Ha'apai, Nuiafo'ou, Niuatoputapu.

Mr 'Aho said the cyclone was moving towards the warmer waters in Vava'u, in the country's north, and there were fears that would cause it to intensify over the next day or so.

He said the cyclone would pass closer to Vava'u than anywhere else, and there were fears the damage there may be more severe. He said people in Vava'u should secure their houses and be prepared for Winston's arrival.

Forecasts show Winston maintaining its category two strength as it crosses Tongan waters, before taking a sharp turn back west towards Fiji some time on Wednesday.

RNZI