Sarai will be a threat to Tonga says Met Service

9:56 pm on 28 December 2019

Tonga's National Emergency Management Committee meet to discuss Tropical Cyclone Sarai. Photo: Iliesa Tora

Tonga's National Emergency Management Committee has heard Tropical Cyclone Sarai will be a threat to Tonga.

The Committee is closely monitoring the Category 2 Tropical Cyclone as it hovers over the Fiji Group and moves slowly towards Tonga.

Tonga's energy minister, Poasi Tei, chaired today's meeting of the committee.

He said the advise received from the Tonga Met office confirms that Cyclone Sarai will be a threat to Tonga, that's despite possibilities that it might be downgraded to a Category 1 again before it reaches the Kingdom.

"We are closely monitoring its movement at the moment and will rely on the advise from Tonga Met," Poasi Tei said.

"At the same time we would like to advise members of the public to prepare and to listen to the weather bulletins and warnings being given out."

He said the committee will meet again tomorrow at 1pm to determine the next course of action.

The Committee will also advise the Prime Minister Dr Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa, his Cabinet and His Majesty King Tupou VI on the status of the cyclone and Tonga's readiness program.

The committee will also advise the Prime Minister on whether a State of Emergency will be needed.

The Committee heard today from the Tonga Meteorology Services; National Emergency Management Office; Tonga Police Force; the King's Armed Forces; Tonga Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Finance on the status of readiness and preparation status.

Yesterday, Tonga's Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre was activated after tracking maps showed Tropical Sarai would cross into Tonga waters.

The Cyclone Warning Centre will continue to provide Tropical Cyclone advisories, alerts and warnings for Tonga.

Cyclone Sarai is currently hovering over Fiji, causing flooding and damage to houses in the island of Kadavu, the Yasawa and Mamanuca group and the Western Division of Fiji.