Rain

The Fua'amotu Weather Forecasting Centre said these conditions will affect the islands next week.

There is a heavy rain warning and flash flood advisory for Vava’u land areas and remain inforce for Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua land areas.

A strong wind warning remains inforce for Tongatapu and ‘Eua land areas.

Photo Fua'amotu Weather Forecasting Centre 

According to the Nadi weather office, a heavy rain warning remains in force for Viti Levu, Yasawa, and the Mamanuca Group, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and nearby smaller islands, and the Lau and Lomaiviti groups.

Saneem said they understand that during pre-polling, a few areas in the interior where their teams were located had faced adverse weather conditions.

Parts of New South Wales have seen almost 1m (3.2ft) of rain, flooding hundreds of homes and severing roads.

Despite the rains subsiding, water levels have not yet peaked in some areas, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

Around 18,000 people in NSW have been displaced.

"It is catastrophic in its dimensions," said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Western Sydney was now the "greatest concern".

He said Sydney's largest dam would continue to spill over for at least another week.

However, while the kingdom is expecting strong winds Tongatapu locals are celebrating the arrival of plentiful winter rain.

Kaniva News reports farmers and growers took to social media to welcome the weather saying it was a blessing.

Some land areas in Tongatapu began to experience significant dryness because there had been no rain for some time.

A gale warning remains in force for Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ʻEua land areas, Tonga Met Services said today.

A strong wind warning remains in force for Niua and Vavaʻu land areas.

The government says extreme rain and wind is predicted to continue for several days.

It says the heavy rain can cause flooding and landslides, and flood waters and mud can be dangerous for health, and increase the risk of disease.