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Tonga

Tonga – Tropical Cyclone Winston-16 (GDACS, JTWC, Tonga Met. Services, Media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 17 February 2016)

  • TC WINSTON-16 continued moving north-east, strengthening, passing near the Vava'u islands and then slightly turning east. On 17 February at 0.00 UTC its centre was located approx. 260 km north-west of Niue island and it had max. sustained wind speed of 167 km/h.

  • Over the next 24 h it is forecast to continue moving east and then turn south-west, strengthening and moving towards the Vava'u islands. Strong winds, heavy rain and storm surge may continue affecting the Vava'u and Ha'apai islands over the next 72 h, as well as the island of Niue.

  • So far media reported minor damages in the Vava'u and Ha'apai islands, and that 140 people had been evacuated.