The tropical depression that dumped enough rain to flood large parts of Fiji was declared to be a tropical cyclone Saturday afternoon as it neared Tonga.
At 4:15pm Saturday evening, Cyclone Kofi was declared a Category 1 cyclone. Early reports Saturday had the cyclone moving south east at a rate of about 25 knots, but by the afternoon Kofi had slowed to 14 knots.
By 10am this morning, the cyclone is forecast to be in its 12th hour of a slow turn towards the east.
The depression was forecast to be located about 130 kilometres west-southwest of Nukualofa in Tonga at midnight Saturday night, about 1,000 kilometres south west of Samoa.
The cyclone was not forecast to present much threat to Samoa and is expected to pass to the south east, after heavy rain over the last few days. Rain was expected to only be “scattered” by Tuesday.
However the slow building tropical cyclone has caused some minor damage already.
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A hillside slip that happened at Luatuanu’u yesterday morning did not cause anyone harm, but authorities are still warning motorists to be careful.
“No one was injured,” said an employee of a Construction company working at the site.
Large rocks and trees could be seen by the roadside. Meterology Division official, Tony Fauena, reminded motorists that changes in the weather may cause problems on the roads and present a threat to lives of people.
“Do not drive your vehicle into areas where water or rocks cover the roadway,” he said. “Mountain erosion, and flooding in low land areas can happen due to heavy rain.”
He also warned motorists driving through hilly and mountainous parts of the country. “Be careful when on our roads,” he said.
Yesterday, Mr. Fauena stated that a warning for “heavy rain” remained in place for river bank and other vulnerable areas for flooding.
Occasional showers with “moderate to heavy” falls were forecast for today and tomorrow, easing to scattered showers by Tuesday.
Small craft were warned about fresh and gusty winds and high swells.
Longer term, Mr. Fauena said that the country faces more of the same heavy weather, more often.
“We are all experiencing some of the impacts of climate change,” he said.
“We must prepare from time to time due to changes in the weather.”
“What is most important is to take advisories and warnings on radio, television and newspapers seriously.”
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