Tonga’s MetService has issued a strong wind warning with severe gales for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua today Sunday 28 at 4pm.

It said a tropical depression with an estimated winds of 55km/hr near its centre and is currently moving south east at 25 km/hr “could possibly become a tropical cyclone in the next 6 – 18 hours”.

In its “tropical cyclone advisory number four for Tonga”, the Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning centre said : “A gale warning remains in force for the Niuas. A strong wind warnings remains in force for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua. A heavy rain warning remains in force for the Niuas”.

It said a gale warning remains in formce for all of Tonga waters.

A heavy damage swell warning remains in force for all Tonga waters, it said.