A three-year-old toddler was killed on Taufaʻāhau Rd in Veitongo on Saturday January 2, 2016, Tonga Police said.
The toddler was struck by a pickup van while crossing the road. He was rushed to hospital but died shortly after.
Nukuʻalofa Police Superintend Tēvita Fifita reportedly said the incident happened at about 1pm when a van travelling westbound appeared to have tried to bypass a parked car on the side of the road hit the toddler.
The driver of the van a 75-year-old man from Folaha was arrested and charged with reckless driving causing death.
Tonga’s outer island group of Vava’u bore the brunt of Cyclone Ula, with fruit crops destroyed on the eve of the harvesting season.
Kaniva News’s correspondent reported the destruction of crops on the main island of Neiafu.
The tropical cyclone watch for Tonga has been cancelled and the cyclone is now heading south west towards the Lau Group in Fiji.
Cyclone Ula caused significant damage in Tuvalu, Kiribati and Tokelau.
No deaths or injuries were reported after Cyclone Ula left Tonga last night.
However, on Neiafu, some small houses were damaged, as well as a number of shelters and buildings that had not been built properly.
The harvesting season for crops such as breadfruit, mangoes and vi has been cut short by the cyclone.
By the time the full force of Cyclone Ula hit the islands, residents had prepared by nailing timbers or tins over windows of their houses.
Category Three Tropical Cyclone Ula was passing near the northern island of Vava’u where there were reports of damage to crops and houses. Photo/Courtesy of Jason Takitoa Taumoepeau
Boats and yachts were pulled inland for safety and most fishing vessels at sea sought shelter in safe anchorages.
Letio Taufa Katoa from Matamaka Island said that when the cyclone was closest yesterday afternoon, “it was raining heavily and the cyclone was very strong.”
She said no houses had been blown away.
She wrote on her Facebook account that Ula should leave immediately and let the remaining banana trees survive so the people had food.
Photos obtained by Kaniva News from Neiafu show mangos that had been blown down in the cyclone covering the ground.
Locals at Hunga Island are pulling this boat inland for safety as Cyclone Ula approached. Photo/Courtesy of Napa’a Halatanu (Hunga Town Officer)
Our correspondent said members of the Police, Defence Force, Tonga Power and officials from the Ministry of Infrastructure worked quickly and efficiently to make sure people were safe.
The Tonga Power Board switched off Neiafu’s main power supply about 4am on Friday, January 1, as a safety measure.
The Tonga Telecommunication Commission base was also switched off to safeguard its communication satellite connections. However, the Digicel communication company operated as normal.
Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, who also chairs Tonga’s National Emergency and Management Board said people should contact the governor’s office, police or town officers if they had problems with roads, water or any emergency needs.
Mangoes and other fruit crops had been blown down by the cyclone covering the ground. Photo/ Courtesy of Jason Takitoa Taumoepeau
He said they could make contact with the National Emergency Management Office in Tonga from time to time.
Hon. Sovaleni said the Mormon church halls had been made available for people to stay in there if they felt their houses were not safe.
Cyclone warning cancelled
Tropical Cyclone Ula has left Tonga and is expected to lie 450 kilometres west-northwest of Fua’amotu, Tongatapu or 445km west of Tofua in Ha’apai or 485km west of Ha’afeva in Ha’api at around 7pm this evening.
The Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre said in its Tropical Cyclone Warning advisory number 22 at 5.20pm on Sunday, January 3, that the tropical cyclone warning previously in force for Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua had been cancelled.
The gale warning previously in force for Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua has also been cancelled.
The strong wind warning previously in force for Vava’u, Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou has been cancelled, but remains in force for Tongatapu and Haapai.
The warning of heavy damaging swells previously in force for the Niuas, Vava’u and Ha’apai has been cancelled, but remains in force for Tongatapu and ‘eua coastal waters.
The heavy rain warning previously in force for Vava’u and Ha’apai has been cancelled.
The main points
Tonga’s outer island group of Vava’u bore the brunt of Cyclone Ula, with fruit crops destroyed on the eve of the harvesting season.
The tropical cyclone watch for Tonga has been cancelled and the cyclone is now heading south west towards the Lau Group in Tonga.
No deaths or injuries were reported after Cyclone Ula left Tonga last night.
However, on Neiafu, some small houses were damaged, as well as a number of shelters and buildings that had not been built properly.
Tongan men believed to be four of them were lucky to survive after a car they were passengers in lost control and split in two in Sydney’s south early this morning.
All passengers including the driver Daniel Leech, 34, were drunk and Police found a wine bottle in the car.
Joseph Pohiva 18, who was just arrived from New Zealand on Friday has been thrown 10 metres onto the road after the Mitsubishi Lancer crashed into a bush and hit a pole.
He was rushed to St George hospital and was reported to have been admitted to intensive care with ruptured kidney, spleen, fractured pelvis and lips and head injuries, Sydney 7News reported.
He was in serious but stable condition it said.
Victims David Tuʻitupou told a reporter at the scene it was “scary” while Tuʻitakau Niupalavi said they “made a dump decision to trust the drunk driver”.
It was a miracle that they survived he added.
Leech blew 168 mcg when breath tested by Police at the scene a figure that more than three times the legal limit, 7News reported.
The Tongans just met Leech for the first time at the Kingsgrove Hotel. After offering a lift they agreed to take a ride with Leech in his unregistered Mitsubishi Lancer.
A 41-year-old Tongan man in El Cajon, California claimed he shot and killed his wife at their home when he called Police and reported the incident on Friday.
According to El Cajon media Hauati Faanunu called at 12:34 a.m. and reported that he had just shot his wife at their residence at 8202 Melrose Lane, said Lt. Kenn Nelson of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
Hauati Fa’anunu reported to Police that he shot and killed his wife. Photo/Facebook
Deputies dispatched to the home located a dead woman with trauma to her upper body. No one else was at home, Nelson said. A short time later Faanunu turned himself in at the El Cajon Police Department.
The couple had six young children.
The name of the shooting victim as well as the cause and manner of death were pending an autopsy by the medical examiner’s office, he said.
The San Diego County Sheriff Department’s Homicide Detail asked anyone with any information regarding the death to call them at (858) 974-2321.
As a result of Ula’s cyclonic activity in parts of the kingdom, Real Tonga Airline’s domestic flights have been cancelled until further notice, the director of the company Tevita Palu has told Kaniva News this afternoon.
He said they will assess the situation today and during the weekend to see if they could have the flights back to services on Monday January 4.
This morning according to Fu’amotua Cyclone Warning Centre, Cyclone Ula passed close to several islands in Vava’u, bringing 150 kilometre an hour destructive winds.
If Ula continues to remain on its current track as it moved away from Vava’u it will not affect Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua.
A hurricane warning has been cancelled for Vava’u and Ha’apai.
The core of Cyclone Ula is moving away from the central Islands of Vavaʻu, according to Fuaʻamotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre, at its tropical cyclone advisory number thirteen issued at 11:30am Saturday January 2, 2016.
However the tropical cyclone warning remains in force for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua, it said.
Category Three Tropical Cyclone Ula has caused significant damage to trees and buildings in Vavaʻu outer islands and cut to powerlines in mainland.
A hurricane warning is now cancelled for Vavaʻu.
A storm warning is now in force for Vava’u, remains in force for Ha’apai and is now cancelled for Tongatapu and ‘Eua.
A gale warning is now in force for Tongatapu and ‘Eua.
A strong wind warning remains in force for Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou.
A heavy damaging swells remains in force for Niuatoputapu, Vavaʻu, Haaʻpai, Tongatapu and ʻEua coastal waters and is now in force for Niuafo’ou coastal waters.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for Vava’u and Ha’apai and is now cancelled for Niuafo’ou, Niuatoputapu, Tongatapu and ‘Eua.
Situation:
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula(category 3) was re-located to 18 decimal 0 South, 173 decimal 3 West or 80km North-Northwest of Vava’u or 200km North of Lifuka at 07:00am this morning. The cyclone has estimated winds of 150km/hr near its centre.
The cyclone is currently moving West-Southwest at a speed of 20km/hr.on its current track severe tropical Cyclone Ula is expected to lie 240km west of Vava’u or 160km Northwest of Tofua or 200km Northwest of Ha’afeva around 07:00pm this evening.
For Vava’u and Ha’apai:
Very destructive east to southeast winds of 80-90km/hr with momentary gust up to 120km/hr.
Overcast with frequent heavy rain with squally thunderstorms.expect possible flash flooding including seas flooding in low ying areas. High to very high seas.a heavy easterly damaging swell.
For Tongatapu and ʻEua:
East to southeast damaging winds with average speed of 65-70km/hr with momentary gust up to 90km/hr. Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Very rough to high seas. A heavy easterly damaging swell.
For Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu:
East to southeast winds 45-55km/hr.
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers possible, heavy at times.
Rough to very rough seas.a heavy damaging west to Northwest swell.
Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva has announced a national state of emergency as severe Tropical Cyclone Ula is expected to move close to the Islands of Vavaʻu at 7am this morning.
In his announcement the Prime Minister said:
Pursuant to Section 32 of the Emergency Management Act 2007 and having been certified that an emergency is happening or is about to happen in the Kingdom due to the destructive force winds and sea rises caused by Tropical Cyclone Ula and that it is necessary for the emergency powers to be exercised in order to prevent or minimize the loss of human life, illness or injury, property loss or damage and damage to the environment, I hereby declare that a state of emergency exists in all the land and sea areas of the districts of Vava’u and Ha’apai commencing from 10.00 pm, on Friday, 1st January, 2016. Declared in Nuku’alofa on this day, 1st January, 2016.
The state of emergency declaration will expire at 10pm on Friday, 29th January, 2016, unless it will be terminated earlier by the Prime Minister.
The announcement was made as tropical cyclone warning was cancelled for Niuatoputapu.
On its 10th Tropical Cyclone Advisory this morning January 2, 2016 at 2am, the Fuʻamotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (FTCWC) said a tropical cyclone warning remains in force for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua but is now cancelled for Niuatoputapu.
What is a national state of emergency?
Declaring a national state of emergency is an option when a disaster or other event is or is likely to be of such severity that it is beyond the resources of the local Civil Defence groups.
It provides for national resources to be marshalled to perform emergency functions and tasks such as:
* rescues
* evacuations from dangerous areas and the closing off of buildings, homes and other premises, public places and roads.
* setting up first aid posts
* providing relief such as emergency food, clothing and shelter
* regulating road, air and sea traffic
* undertaking the emergency disposal of bodies
It also allows authorities to requisition any land, building, vehicle, animal, boat, equipment, construction materials, bedding, food and medical supplies considered necessary for the preservation of human life.
FTCWC said: A hurricane warning remains in force for vava’u.
A storm warning remains in force for Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua.
A strong wind warning is in force for Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou.
A heavy damaging swells remains in force for Niuatoputapu, Vavau, Haapai, Tongatapu and ʻEua waters.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for all Tonga.
Situation:
Severe tropical cyclone ula(category 3) was located 17 decimal 9 south, 172 decimal 8 west or 150km Northeast of vava’u or 270km Northeast of lifuka at 01:00am this morning.
The cyclone has estimated winds of 150km/hr near its centre.
The cyclone is currently moving West-Southwest at a speed of 20km/hr.on its current track severe tropical cyclone ula is expected to lie 40km North of Vava’u or 170km North-Northeast of Lifuka around 07:00am this morning.
For Vava’u:
East to Southeast winds gradually increasing to very destructive winds of 120-150km/hr with momentary gust up to 200km/hr.
Overcast with frequent heavy rain with squally thunderstorms. Expect possible flash flooding
including seas flooding in low lying areas. Very high to phenomenal seas. A heavy damaging swell developing tonight.
For Haapai, Tongatapu and ʻEua:
East to Southeast winds gradually increasing to destructive winds with average speed of 80-90km/hr with momentary gust up to 120km/hr in the next 10-24 hours.
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers becoming overcast with frequent heavy rain with squally thunderstorms.high to very high seas.a heavy damaging swell developing tonight.
For Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu:
East to Southeast winds 45-55km/hr. Mostly cloudy with scattered showers possible, heavy at times.
rough to very rough seas. A moderate to heavy east to Southeast swell.
Tide predictions:
High tide : 01:00am
Low tide : 07:15am
The mean sea level pressure recorded at Lupepau’u Airport (Vavau) at 02:00am was 995.0 millibars.
The next tropical cyclone advisory for Tonga will be issued about 05:00am this morning.
The occupants of a house in Veitatalo in Neiafu, Vavaʻu escaped unharmed from a blaze which caused significant damage to a building owned by a local businessman.
The cause of the fire which erupted at about 4am this morning Friday, January 1, 2016 has yet to be officially determined.
First house fire of 2016 in Vavaʻu. Photo/Latu Niua Lepolo
A correspondent in Vavaʻu however told Kaniva News it was alleged the fire started after one of the occupants fell asleep leaving food he was cooking on the stove unattended.
The owner of the house, ʻIsi Lutui Fakatulolo operates a bakery and it was not immediately clear whether or not it was affected by the fire.
Emergency Service authority in Vavaʻu could not be reached for comments.
Vavaʻu Islands were facing “destructive winds” of 100-110 kilometres per hour within 12 – 24 hours as Tropical Cyclone Ula increasingly intensified, reported the Fuaʻamotu Tropical Warning Centre (FTWC) today at 1pm Firday 1, 2016, at its cyclone warning advisory number six.
For Tongatapu, ʻEua, Niuatoputapu and Haʻapai, winds gradually increasing to destructive winds with average speed of 80-90km/hr with momentary gust up to 120km/hr in the next 12 to 24 hours.
Tropical Cyclone Ula has been upgraded to Category Three and warning about its severity remains in force for Niuatoputapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua, according to FTWC.
A hurricane warning remains in force for Vava’u.
A storm warning remains in force for Niuatoputapu, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua.
A gale warning remains in force for Niuafo’ou.
A heavy damaging swells remains inforce for Niuatoputapu, Vavau, Haapai, Tongatapu and ʻEua waters.
A heavy rain warning is now in force for all Tonga.
Situation:
Severe tropical Cyclone Ula(category 3) was located 16 decimal 4 south, 169 decimal 9 West or 410km East of Niuatoputapu or 500km East-Northeast of Vava’u at 10:00am this morning.
The cyclone has estimated winds of 120km/hr near its centre. The cyclone is currently moving Southwest at a speed of 8km/hr.
On its current track severe Tropical Cyclone Ula is expected to lie 170km South of Niuatoputapu or 180km North-Northeast of Vava’u around midnight tonight.
For Vavaʻu:
Winds gradually increasing to very destructive winds of 100-110km/hr with momentary gust up to 130km/hr in the next 12 to 24 hours.
Cloudy with occasional showers, gradually becoming overcast with frequent heavy rain with squally thunderstorms. Expect possible flash flooding including seas flooding in low lying areas.
Very high to phenomenal seas. A heavy damaging swell developing.
For Niuatoputapu, Haapai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua:
Winds gradually increasing to destructive winds with average speed of 80-90km/hr with momentary gust up to 120km/hr in the next 12 to 24 hours.
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers becoming overcast with frequent heavy rain with squally thunderstorms.
High to very high seas. A heavy damaging swell developing.
For Niuafo’ou:
Winds gradually increasing to damaging winds of 65-70km/hr in the next 18 to 24 hours.
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers possible heavy at times. Very rough seas. A moderate to heavy east to southeast swell.
Tide predictions:
High tide : 12:45pm
Low tide : 07:00pm
The mean sea level pressure recorded at Lupepau’u airport (Vavau) at 1:00pm was 1003.6 millibars.
The tropical cyclone warning for Niuatoputapu and Vavaʻu now includes Haʻapai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua while a strong wind alert is in force for Niuafoʻou, says the Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre at 7.00am Friday 1, 2016 on its cyclone advisory number three.
Tropical Cyclone Ula is now upgraded to category two and it has an estimated wind of 115km/hr near its centre and is currently moving West/Southwest at a speed of 15km/hr.
On its current track, Cyclone Ula is expected to lie very close to Vavaʻu around midnight tonight.
A storm warning is now inforce for Vavaʻu.
A gale warning is now inforce for Niuatoputapu, Haʻapai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua.
A strong wind warning remains inforce for Niuafoʻou.
Situation:
Tropical Cyclone Ula was located 15 decimal 9 South, 169 decimal 6 West or 450km East of Niuatoputpau or 560km East-Northeast of Vavaʻu at 04:00am this morning.
For Vavaʻu:
East to South East winds 75-80km/hr, increasing to 95-100km/hr in the next 18 to 24 hours.
Cloudy with occasional showers, gradually becoming overcast with rain heavy at times with possible isolated thunderstorms. High to very high seas.a heavy East to Southeast swell.
For Niuatoputapu, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua:
East to Southeast winds 65-70km/hr, increasing to 75-80km/hr in the next 18 to 24 hours.
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers possible heavy at times. Very rough to high seas. A moderate to heavy East to Southeast swell.
For Niuafo’ou:
East winds 45km/hr-55km/hr, increasing to 65-70km/hr in the next 18 to 24 hours.
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers possible heavy at times. Rough to very rough seas. A moderate to heavy east to Southeast swell.
Tide predictions:
High tide : 12:45pm
Low tide : 07:00pm
The mean sea level pressure recorded at Fua’amotu at 07:30am was 1008.2 Millibars and the relative humidity was 85% the next tropical cyclone advisory for tonga will be issued at 10:00am this morning.
