Several media outlets are reporting that the South Pacific destination of Tonga was crushed by Tropical Cyclone Gita on Monday night, with The Guardian reporting winds of roughly 145 mph.
According to The Guardian report, Gita’s force flattened parts of Parliament House and caused significant damage and injuries across the kingdom. According to the BBC, Tonga's parliament building is more than 100 years old and it is not yet clear where Members of Parliament (MP) will sit while it is being repaired. One MP, Lord Fusitu'a, told ABC News that the damage was "a great disappointment".
Gita hit Tonga around 8 p.m. on Monday night and peaked between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., slamming on to the south coast of the main island of Tongatapu, according to The Guardian report.
The storm, which was far stronger than predicted, brought down electricity lines, damaged churches and leveled fruit trees and crops vital to the island’s livelihood, according to The Guardian report.
According to the British Met office, Gita is the worst cyclone to pass so close to Tonga’s main islands in 60 years, and communications were lost overnight as Gita ripped the roof off the Tonga meteorological office as well as taking the national broadcaster off air for a time.
According to ABC News, Acting Prime Minister Semisi Sika declared a state of emergency for Tonga, urging residents to stay where they were to prevent injury and avoid further damage to property or the environment.
Visit www.tongaholiday.com and keep visiting www.travelagencentral.com for all your latest travel news. Be sure to follow Travel Agent’s Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike and Instagram @pike5260.
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