Tonga's main island spared full strength of Tino

Tonga's main island of Tongatapu has been spared the full force of Tropical Cyclone Tino.

The storm was expected to pass directly over Tongatapu overnight with the capital, Nuku'alofa on track to take a direct hit, instead the cyclone just passed to the North of Tongatapu without its high winds and heavy rain.

But the northern Tongan groups of Vava'u and Ha'apai were being hammered by destructive storm force winds and torrential downpours, with gusts estimated at 180km/hr yesterday.

Cyclone Tino has now weakened as it continues to move away from the islands of Tonga.v 

Tonga's main island of Tongatapu has been spared the full force of Tropical Cyclone Tino.

The storm was expected to pass directly over Tongatapu overnight with the capital, Nuku'alofa on track to take a direct hit, instead the cyclone just passed to the North of Tongatapu without its high winds and heavy rain.

But the northern Tongan groups of Vava'u and Ha'apai were being hammered by destructive storm force winds and torrential downpours, with gusts estimated at 180km/hr yesterday.

Cyclone Tino has now weakened as it continues to move away from the islands of Tonga.

[Source: Radio NZ]