State of emergency declared for Tongan islands hit by Cyclone Ula

Locals and tourists on Tongatapu and ‘Eua have also been told to brace for winds averaging 80-90km/h, gusting up to 120km/h over the next 24 hours.

Heavy damaging sea swells and east to south-east winds of up to 120km/h are expected to hit Vava’u and Ha’apai, reported New Zealand Herald.

The official Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre said in an advisory that Ula had “very destructive winds” with “very high to phenomenal seas” causing flooding in low-lying areas.

AkesaLea Uili said: ‘Praying for the safety of family and everyone back home in Vava’u and Tongatapu’.

Nadi Weather Office Director Ravind Kumar says that Tropical Cyclone Ula will move west-southwest towards Fiji tomorrow before pushing across the central islands.

“We have emergency supplies in Tonga ready in place, so once the urgent needs are assessed we are ready to help coordinate the supply of clean water and sanitation for those affected by the disaster”.

Ula is expected to track along the western edge of a sub-tropical ridge (elongated area) of high pressure where it will encounter increasing vertical wind shear associated with a shortwave trough (elongated area of low ).

Gale force winds of up to 200 kilometres per hour and torrential rain have been forecast.

Severe tropical cyclone Ula was bearing down on the tiny Pacific kingdom of Tonga on Saturday (Jan 1) with the government warning it had the potential to damage property, crops and infrastructure.

Authorities in Fiji say Cyclone Ula could adversely affect about 5,000 people living in the Eastern Districts.

Fiji rugby Sevens coach Ben Ryan posted on a message on Twitter, urging those affected by the cyclone to take care.