Tropical Cyclone Urmil continues to affect Tonga despite weakening and moving further away from the southern island groups.
According to a 5pm advisory issued by the Tonga Meteorological Services, the cyclone, now a Category 1 system, is expected to move out of Tonga’s maritime boundary later tonight, but heavy rain, damaging winds and hazardous seas are still forecast to impact several areas.
At 3pm today, the system was positioned about 805 kilometres west southwest of Nuku’alofa and was moving southeast at a speed of 23 knots.
Meteorologists reported maximum sustained winds near the centre of about 50 knots, with momentary gusts reaching as high as 120 to 140 kilometres per hour.
The storm’s associated cloud bands continue to produce widespread heavy rain, poor visibility and high to very high seas reaching between seven and ten metres, while strong northwesterly swells of four to six metres are expected to remain dangerous for coastal communities.
The Meteorological Service has maintained several warnings for land and coastal areas, including a gale warning for Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua, and heavy rain and flash flood advisories for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua.
Vava’u remains under a strong wind warning. Marine warnings also remain in place, with storm warnings and damaging swells affecting the Tele‑ki‑Tonga and Tele‑ki‑Tokelau waters, while gale and strong wind warnings apply to the coastal waters of Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua. A small craft advisory continues across all island groups due to dangerous sea conditions.
As the system tracked southeastward today, regional forecast models continued to show Urmil drawing closer to the southern maritime zones. By midday, the cyclone was sitting about 880 kilometres west southwest of Nuku’alofa and moving east southeast at roughly 36 kilometres per hour.
While Tonga braces for the cyclone’s continuing influence, Fiji has been dealing with heavy flooding after the system passed about 520 kilometres southwest of Nadi earlier this morning. Several roads were inundated and emergency officials issued warnings urging motorists to avoid flooded areas.
Photos shared on social media show fallen trees lying across the road, with authorities later seen cutting and removing them this afternoon. The clean‑up followed reports of heavy rain across Tongatapu and a small earthquake that was felt by some residents.
