Tropical Cyclone Lin is now clearing Tonga (flagged centre) and heading into the south Pacific away from land.  Fiji top left.  Image: Wunderground

Reports of damage are now coming in from Tonga after the centre of Tropical Cyclone Lin crossed the kingdom with winds gusting to 150km/h Sunday morning.

This satellite image, taken at 2:30pm NZT, shows the category 2 cyclone (out of 5) moving into the southern Pacific Ocean away from Tonga reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.  

The cyclone has strengthened further this afternoon with the central air pressure falling from 980 to 975hPa.  Lin still has sustained winds of over 100km/h and gusts to 150km/h.

Authorities in Tonga say there have been no reports of any casualties or structural damage as a result of Cyclone Lin, according to ABC Radio Australia.  So far much of the damage has been reported from the Ha’apai Group and Tonga Tapu the main island mostly to root crops and fruit bearing trees like breadfruit and bananas.

ABC says The Prime Minister and the deputy Prime Minister have convened emergency meetings of the National Disaster Relief Committee to look at the initial reports pertaining to any casualties, damage to houses and root crops and other properties.

The Fiji Meteorological Service has now cancelled storm warnings for the Ha’apai Group however strong wind warnings remain.

Coastal flooding caused by a large storm surge is also likely.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says despite the tropical storm being clearly visible on our satellite maps the cyclone poses no threat to New Zealand.  It’s tracking SSE and is expected to speed up and move more SE over the next day or two

Bullseye – Tropical Cyclone Lin passes directly over Tonga Sunday morning bringing destructive winds, a big storm surge and flooding rains.  Image: MTSAT