Aitutaki Prepares as Tropical Cyclone Wati Approaches
Aitutaki Prepares for Tropical Cyclone Wati
The Aitutaki Island Council has activated its emergency operations center in anticipation of Tropical Cyclone Wati’s approach.
Cyclone Details
Wati, classified as a Category 2 cyclone, is currently moving southeast toward the Southern Cook Islands, with weather conditions expected to worsen in the upcoming days.
According to the Cook Islands Meteorological Service, as of 2 PM local time on Saturday, Wati was approximately 290 km north of Palmerston, traveling at a speed of about 16 km/h. The cyclone has maximum sustained winds of 91 km/h near its center, with gusts reaching up to 130 km/h.
Impact on Aitutaki and Surrounding Areas
The Meteorological Service has issued a final special weather bulletin for the Northern Cook Islands, detailing the potential impacts on Aitutaki and the nearby islands of Ngaputoru, which include Mauke, Mitiaro, and Atiu.
John Strickland, director of Emergency Management Cook Islands, confirmed to RNZ Pacific that they are closely monitoring Wati’s trajectory toward Aitutaki. He stated that the island is well-prepared for any eventualities.
“Aitutaki is under the management of the island council, which includes the mayor, his council, and an executive officer for the Government. They have now activated their own emergency operation center and are ready for anything that might hit them probably tomorrow morning or maybe tonight,” Strickland said.
Community Preparedness
Schools on the island are organized, and a maintenance team, police, the water authority, the Red Cross, and other supporting agencies are on standby as Wati approaches.
Strickland indicated that the cyclone is expected to pass between the islands of Mauke, Mitiaro, and Atiu.
Early Detection and Forecast
Nathan Tism from the Cook Islands Meteorological Service noted the fortunate early detection of the tropical depression before it intensified into a cyclone.
“A lot of warnings were sent out to everyone before the system intensified, and because it was up in the north tracking towards the south where no islands were in its pathway, we were quite fortunate with that,” Tism explained.
Forecasts suggest that the cyclone will exit the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Cook Islands within three days.
“So probably by Monday local time, it will weaken and develop into a low pressure,” Tism added.
This report was initially published on rnz.co.nz.
Source Reference (newstalkzb.co.nz): Aitutaki braces for Tropical Cyclone Wati