According to sources Tonga declared a state of emergency on Monday as a powerful cyclone bears down on the Pacific island nation after wreaking havoc in neighboring Samoa. Meanwhile the acting Prime Minister Semisi Sika issued the nationwide alert, saying he was "satisfied that an emergency is happening or is about to happen in the kingdom".
Meanwhile severe Tropical Cyclone Gita is intensifying as it approaches and the Fiji Meteorological Service predicted it will become a maximum category five storm before reaching Tonga on Monday night. Presently it is already packing wind gusts of 220 kmh (137 mph) as it gathers strength some 370 kilometers east of Tonga's most populous island Tongatapu.
Further Tonga's Fua'amotu Weather Forecasting
Centre warned residents could expect "very destructive hurricane force
winds". Moreover Gita slammed into Samoa overnight Friday, forcing the
evacuation of some 200 people and causing widespread flooding, leaving many
without power and electricity. Furthermore Tonga's information ministry said
evacuation centres were being prepared across the kingdom and advised residents
to avoid unnecessary travel.
