 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
'Greatest ever' downpour floods Tonga: officials
Nuku'Alofa (AFP) Feb 9, 2008 A freak storm -- that dumped more than a month's average rainfall in less than 24 hours -- has swamped the Pacific island nation of Tonga, forcing evacuations, officials said Saturday. Buildings, including the Australian High Commission, and houses in the main city of Nuku'alofa were flooded after roads turned into rivers during the storm, officials said. "This is the greatest rainfall we have ever had in the kingdom," duty forecaster 'Ofa Taumoepeau said. Climatologists called it "an extreme event" with up to 289.2 millimetres (11.38 inches) of rain falling on parts of the main island of Tongatapu in the 24 hours to 10:00am Saturday. Most of the rain fell in a seven-hour period on Friday evening causing flash-flooding across the island and forcing animals to swim for their lives. The Tongan Defence Force's quick reaction team was called out and evacuated several families who had not been able to reach higher ground. They also assisted the Australian High Commission move furniture and equipment after the building started to flood. The water was knee deep in some areas, second lieutenant Esu Tupou said. "Cars couldn't work and they found some cars stuck without drivers. They came across pigs and dogs swimming in the water." Australian High Commissioner Bruce Hunt said the back yard of the property flooded and water seeped into the lower level of the immigration and consular offices. Although the weather was fine over Tonga on Saturday, further heavy rain was forecast for later in the weekend. Tonga, with a population of 112,000, lies a third of the way between New Zealand and Hawaii and receives most of its annual rainfall between November and April. A heavier than usual rainy period had been forecast as "a high probability" this year for January to March. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Weather News at TerraDaily.com
NASA Data Link Pollution To Rainy Summer Days In The Southeast
Greenbelt MD (SPX) Feb 04, 2008Rainfall data from a NASA satellite show that summertime storms in the southeastern United States shed more rainfall midweek than on weekends. Scientists say air pollution from humans is likely driving that trend. The link between rainfall and the day of the week is evident in data from NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite, known as TRMM. Midweek storms tend to be stronger, drop more rain and span a larger area across the Southeast compared to calmer and drier weekends. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
