AirCalin Airbus at Noumea Airport
Photo: RNZ Walter Zweifel
Heavy gales forecast for Tonga overnight
Schools have closed down today in Tonga due to damaging gales forecast for the kingdom as a likely cyclone looms.
Forecast maps for Tropical Depression 09F were released by the Fua amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre this afternoon.
The Tropical Depression is forecast to enter Tongan waters tonight as a Category 1 Tropical Cyclone.
Earlier this morning there was a forecast of heavy gales to Tongatapu and Eua late this afternoon and overnight.
Schools closed today in Southern Tonga and classes at all government schools in Tongatapu and Eua have been cancelled for today.