Cyclone Sarai | 30 Dec 2019

Tropical Cyclone Sarai hit Fiji on December 28, 2019, causing widespread damage.

  • It is a category two tropical cyclone and is moving east towards the Tongan waters at nearly 10 kmh speed.
  • It is expected to have average winds of up to 110km/hr with momentary gusts to 150km/hr close to its centre.

Fiji and Tonga

  • Fiji is a country and archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. It surrounds the Koro Sea about 1,300 miles north of Auckland, New Zealand.
  • Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga (also called Friendly Islands), is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It lies east of Fiji.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

  • The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage.
Category Sustained Winds Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds
1 119-153 km/h Very dangerous winds will produce some damage
2 154-177 km/h Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage
3 (major) 178-208 km/h Devastating damage will occur
4 (major) 209-251 km/h Catastrophic damage will occur
5 (major) 252 km/h or higher Catastrophic damage will occur

Source: TH