Heavy rain has saturated land areas in Neiafu, Vava’u and caused mudflows
The sea waves were turned brown from the water running off the affected spots including Toula.
Growers said their plantations were saturated “sepo e ngoue’anga’,” and they feared a strong wind that might immediately follow the heavy rain may easily destroy their crops because of the situation, according to our correspondent in Neiafu.
Tongan Met Service said this morning at 6am, a heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory remains in force for all of Tonga land areas.
It said a strong wind warning remains in force for all of Tonga land areas.
At 5am today Mona, a category one tropical cyclone, was located 730 kilometres west of Niuafo’ou and 1020 kilometres northwest of Vava’u, 1060 northwest of Pangai, Hihifo and 1090 Kilometres of Nuku’alofa.
Tropical Cyclone Mona is moving at a speed of about 16km/hr (8 knots) in a south- south-west direction.
The weather service said that on its current track the potential for Mona to affect Tonga in the next 24hrs was low
A low pressure system is moving slowly over the Niuas and Vava’u, causing periods of heavy rain.
There are warnings for strong winds and heavy, damaging, swells for the Niuas and Vava’u coastal waters.
The forecast to midnight tomorrow for the rest of Tongan coastal waters is for east to southeast winds at 15-20 knots, rising up to 25 knots at times and moderate seas with a moderate southerly swell.
The outlook for Sunday for the Niuas and Vava’u coastal waters is for north to northeast winds of 15-20 knots, rising up to 25-30 knots at times.
Seas are expected to be moderate to rough, with a heavy, damaging, northerly swell.
The overall forecast to midnight tomorrow for the Niuas is for light to moderate north to northeast winds, becoming fresh and strong winds at times. It is expected to be mostly cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times.
For Vava’u, the forecast is for light to moderate east to southeast winds, variable at times and developed a fresh and strong winds by tomorrow evening.
It will be mostly cloudy and overcast with occasional rain, heavy at times.
For Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua, the prediction is for light to moderate east to southeast winds, fresh at times.
There may be occasional showers, possibly heavy at times.
