TC Ana

According to the Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre, Tropical  Cyclone Ana (Category 2) was located 565km West of Nuku’alofa at 7am today (local time).

TC Ana is moving South Southeast at about 10 knots (20km/hr).

The maximum winds near its centre is about 60 knots (120km/hr) with momentary gust of up to 80 knots (160km/hr).

The FTCWC said on its current track, the cyclone could bring destructive storm force winds to Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau and damaging gale force winds to Haapai, Tongatapu and Eua groups by late today or early Tuesday.

Tropical Cyclone Ana has slowed down and it is moving South Southeast at about 7 knots (14km/hr).

The maximum winds near its center are about 60 knots (120km/hr) with momentary gusts of up to 80 knots (160km/hr) at times.

On its current track, it could bring a storm force wind to Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau and damaging gale force winds to Haapai, Tongatapu and Eua groups by late Monday or early Tuesday.

Associated strong winds, cloudy conditions with periods of heavy rain and thunderstorm continues to affect Tonga.

In a statement this afternoon, the National Disaster Management Office said a 49 year old man had drowned.

The NDMO also said there were five people missing including a three year boy from Lautoka who hasn't been seen since yesterday.

The other four were fishermen who had gone out earlier in the week as the storm developed, two from Cikobia, Vanua Levu and the others from near Suva.

The category 1 cyclone was located about 350km northwest of Nadi early this morning.

Its moving southeast at 20km/hr and is likely to make landfall over Fiji on Sunday.

The National Disaster Management Office in Fiji has warned the public to prepare for heavy rain, flooding and possible damaging winds.

A national curfew comes into effect this afternoon and will be lifted at 4am on Monday (local time).

The curfew in the western division is from 12pm today to 4am Monday.