Cyclone Sarai

{{storm path|Sarai 2019 track.png}}

During December 20, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) started to monitor an area of low pressure, located near the Solomon Islands for the possibility of tropical cyclogenesis.{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone 5-Day Outlook: December 20, 2019 |url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/3DayOutLook/Outlook%202019.12.20%2017.16.53.pdf |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |access-date=December 27, 2019|date=December 20, 2019}} Over the next few days, they continued to monitor the system and assessed its potential to become a tropical cyclone. During December 23, the FMS reported that the area of low pressure had developed into a tropical disturbance and assigned it the designator 03F, while it was located about {{convert|630|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the west of Tuvalu.{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Summary December 24, 2019 00z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=December 24, 2019|url=https://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2019/12/24/text/Severe/Severe_24.txt|access-date=July 30, 2020}}{{cite press release|title=Low pressure intensifies into Tropical Disturbance, TD03F|date=December 24, 2019|url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/Media%20Releases/Media%20Release%20No%2042.pdf|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service }} At this time the system was poorly organised with deep atmospheric convection, displaced to the north and east of its broad and elongated low-level circulation.{{cite report|title=Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Western and South Pacific Oceans December 23, 2019 19z|publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=December 23, 2019}} The disturbance was also located underneath an upper ridge of high pressure within a favourable environment for further development, with low to moderate vertical windshear and warm sea surface temperatures of {{convert|29-30|C|F}}. The FMS expected at this time that the disturbance would track just to the west of the Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands, before turning and moving southeastwards to the south of Kadavu towards the southern Lau Islands. However, it was noted that the movement of tropical cyclones could be erratic within the region and that some weather models were predicting that the system would make landfall on Viti Levu.{{cite news|author=Pratap, Ritika|title=TD03F expected to become TC around midday tomorrow|url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/td03f-expected-to-become-tc-around-midday-tomorrow/|access-date=December 29, 2019|work=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation|date=December 25, 2019}}

Over the next couple of days, the system moved southwards and gradually developed further with its overall organisation improving, before it was classified as a tropical depression by the FMS during December 25.{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Advisory A1 December 25, 2019 00z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|date=December 25, 2019|url=https://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2019/12/25/text/Severe/Severe_25.txt|access-date=July 30, 2020}}{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert December 25, 2019 03z|publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=December 25, 2019}} After being classified as a tropical depression, the system continued to develop, with its outflow improving and deep convection wrapping on to the systems low level circulation center.{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Advisory A6 December 26, 2019 06z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|date=December 26, 2019|url=https://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2019/12/26/text/Severe/Severe_26.txt|access-date=July 30, 2020}} During December 26, the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center initiated advisories on the depression and designated it as Tropical Cyclone 04P, before the FMS reported that the system had become a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale and named it Sarai.{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Cyclone 04P Warning 2 December 26, 2019 15z|publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=December 26, 2019}}{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Naming Bulletin December 26, 2019 12z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226124146/https://tgftp.nws.noaa.gov/data/raw/nw/nwps01.nffn..txt|date=December 26, 2019|url=https://tgftp.nws.noaa.gov/data/raw/nw/nwps01.nffn..txt|archive-date=December 26, 2019}}{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Advisory A7 December 26, 2019 15z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|date=December 26, 2019|url=https://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2019/12/26/text/Severe/Severe_26.txt|access-date=July 30, 2020}} At this time, Sarai was being steered southwards to the west of Fiji, along the edge of a near-equatorial ridge of high pressure and the jetstream. Over the next couple of days, the system gradually intensified further and was classified as a Category 2 tropical cyclone during December 27, while it was located around {{convert|220|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the west of Nadi, Fiji.{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Advisory A10 December 27, 2019 08z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|date=December 27, 2019|url=https://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2019/12/27/text/Severe/Severe_27.txt|access-date=July 30, 2020}}{{cite report|title=Fiji Climate Summary: December 2019 Volume 40: Issue 12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109212910/http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/Climate_Products/December%202019climateSum2020.01.09%2012.55.20.pdf|archive-date=January 9, 2020|url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/Climate_Products/December%202019climateSum2020.01.09%2012.55.20.pdf|access-date=January 9, 2020|date=January 9, 2020|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service}} As the system turned south-eastwards later that day, the JTWC noted that there was significant uncertainty in the model guidance over Sarai's future track, as a trough of low pressure approached the ridge of high pressure and weakened it.{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Cyclone 04P Warning 6 December 27, 2019 15z|publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=December 27, 2019}}{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Cyclone 04P Warning 7 December 27, 2019 21z|publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=December 27, 2019}} In particular, the ECMWF and NAVGEM models showed that the system would meander near Viti Levu or move northwards over Fiji, while other models showed that the system would move eastwards towards Fiji's Lau Islands and Tonga or northeastwards towards American Samoa.

During December 28, as Sarai passed about {{convert|100|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the south of Fiji's Kadavu Island, the FMS estimated that the system had peaked as a Category 2 tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained winds of 110 km/h (70 mph).{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Advisory A14 December 28, 2019 09z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|date=December 28, 2019|url=https://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2019/12/28/text/Severe/Severe_28.txt|access-date=July 30, 2020}} During that day as the system continued to move eastwards the system briefly developed an eye, while the model guidance came into better agreement over Sarai's future track.{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Cyclone 04P Warning 10 December 28, 2019 15z|publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=December 28, 2019}} The JTWC also estimated that Sarai had peaked with 1-minute sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph), which made it equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. Over the next couple of days, the system gradually weakened as it was steered eastwards towards Tonga, with its low level circulation center becoming partially exposed and atmospheric convection significantly decreased as vertical wind shear increased.{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Cyclone 04P Warning 14 December 29, 2019 15z|publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=December 29, 2019}}{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Cyclone 04P Warning 16 December 30, 2019 03z|publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=December 29, 2019}} During December 30, the FMS reported that Sarai had weakened into a Category 1 tropical cyclone, before it passed over the Tongan island groups of Ha'apai and Tongatapu later that day.{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Advisory A23 December 30, 2019 12z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|date=December 30, 2019|url=https://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2019/12/30/text/Severe/Severe_30.txt|access-date=July 30, 2020}}{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Advisory A25 December 31, 2019 00z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|date=December 31, 2019|url=https://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2019/12/31/text/Severe/Severe_31.txt|access-date=July 30, 2020}}{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Advisory A26 December 31, 2019 06z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|date=December 31, 2019|url=https://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2019/12/31/text/Severe/Severe_31.txt|access-date=July 30, 2020}} The system subsequently rapidly decayed during the next day, with atmospheric convection was displaced over {{convert|90|km|mi|round=5|abbr=on}} to the southeast of the systems ragged and fully exposed low level circulation center.{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Cyclone 04P Warning 21 December 31, 2019 09z|publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center|date=December 31, 2019}} As a result, the JTWC issued their final advisory on Sarai, while the FMS reported that had degenerated into a tropical depression.{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Advisory A27 December 31, 2019 12z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|date=December 31, 2019|url=https://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2019/12/31/text/Severe/Severe_31.txt|access-date=July 30, 2020}}{{cite report|title=Gale Warning 039 December 31, 2019 23z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=December 31, 2019|url=https://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2019/12/31/text/Severe/Severe_31.txt|access-date=July 30, 2020}} The remnant tropical depression continued to move east-southeastwards and passed about {{convert|215|km|mi|abbr=on|round=5}} to the southeast of the island nation of Niue later that day.{{cite report|title=Tropical Cyclone Sarai Running Best Track|publisher=United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center|access-date=January 21, 2020|url=https://science.nrlmry.navy.mil/geoips/tcdat/tc20/SHEM/04P.SARAI/trackfile.txt}} The system was last noted by the FMS during January 2, while it was located about {{convert|180|km|mi|abbr=on|round=5}} to the southeast of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.{{cite report|title=Tropical Disturbance Summary January 2, 2020 00z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=January 2, 2020|url=https://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2020/01/02/text/Severe/Severe_02.txt|access-date=July 30, 2020}}

File:Sarai 2019-12-27 0140Z.jpg

During December 25, after 03F had become a tropical depression, the FMS issued a gale warning for the Fijian dependency of Rotuma and warned that gale-force winds were possible on the island within the next 24 hours.{{cite report|title=Special Weather Bulletin Number 1 for Fiji and Rotuma on Tropical Depression 03F December 25, 2019 09z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=December 25, 2019}} They also warned of heavy and frequent rain showers, rough to heavy seas, damaging northerly swells and noted that sea flooding of low-level coastal areas was expected. At the same time a tropical cyclone alert and a heavy rain warning were issued for the rest of the Fijian islands. Over the next few days, the FMS gradually replaced the tropical cyclone alert, with gale and storm warnings for various islands in the archipelago, including Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Kadavu and Taveuni.{{cite report|title=Special Weather Bulletin Number 5 for Fiji and Rotuma on Tropical Depression 03F December 26, 2019 09z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=December 26, 2019}}{{cite report|title=Special Weather Bulletin Number 12 for Fiji and Rotuma on Tropical Cyclone Sarai December 27, 2019 06z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=December 27, 2019}} The FMS also issued various flood alerts, flood and flash flood warnings for low-lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to major rivers in the northern, central and western division.

Ahead of Sarai impacting the island nation, national and international flights and all shipping services were cancelled, while others were brought forward by several hours to avoid the system's effects.{{cite news|title=Fiji Braces for Cyclone Sarai |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/east-asia-pacific_fiji-braces-cyclone-sarai/6181686.html|access-date=January 15, 2020|agency=Agence France-Presse |date=December 26, 2019}}{{cite news|title=All shipping services to cease until further notice|url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/all-shipping-services-to-cease-until-further-notice/|access-date=January 23, 2020|work=FBC News|date=December 27, 2019|author=Reece, Lena}}{{cite news|title=Hundreds flee lowlands as Cyclone Sarai sweeps past Fiji |url=https://phys.org/news/2019-12-hundreds-lowlands-cyclone-sarai-fiji.html |work=Phys.org |access-date=January 23, 2020|date=December 27, 2019}}{{cite news |title=Category 1 Cyclone Sarai strengthening as it approaches Fiji |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/406243/category-1-cyclone-sarai-strengthening-as-it-approaches-fiji |access-date=December 27, 2019 |agency=Radio New Zealand |date=December 27, 2019}} The National Disaster Management Office also activated its emergency shelters and advised people to have their "disaster kits" ready, while the Ministry of Health and Medical Services suspended their national measles vaccination campaign.{{cite news |author=Nacei, Luke |title=TC Sarai: Health ministry suspends measles vaccination campaign |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/tc-sarai-health-ministry-suspends-measles-vaccination-campaign/ |access-date=December 28, 2019 |work=The Fiji Times|date=December 27, 2019}} {{subscription required}} Flash flood warnings issued by the FMS prompted the evacuation of 360 people to 15 shelters in the city of Lautoka and on the island of Ovalau.{{cite news |title=Fiji braces for Cyclone Sarai |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/fiji-braces-for-cyclone-sarai |access-date=December 27, 2019 |work=The Straits Times |agency=Agence France-Presse |publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |date=December 27, 2019 |location=Singapore}} the NDMO reported 2,121 people sought shelter in 55 shelters throughout Fiji.{{cite news |author=Fennell, Jordan |author2=Wibawa, Tasha |title=Tropical Cyclone Sarai lashes Fiji as warnings issued for flash flooding, gale force winds |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-26/tropical-cylone-sarai-lashes-fiji-as-people-evacuated/11827544 |access-date=December 27, 2019 |agency=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=December 27, 2019 |location=Sydney, Australia}} Police presence was increased in all Fijian divisions to both facilitate evacuation and rescue operations and bolster crime patrol during the storm.{{cite news |title=TC Sarai situation update |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/natural-disaster/tc-sarai-situation-update/ |access-date=December 27, 2019 |work=FBC News |agency=Fijian Broadcasting Corporation |publisher=Fijian Broadcasting Corporation Limited |date=December 27, 2019 |location=Suva, Fiji}}

During December 27, the Tonga Meteorological Service activated its Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre and issued a tropical cyclone alert for the whole of Tonga on Sarai.{{cite press release|title=Activation of Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone Warnings Centre Notice|publisher=Tonga Meteorological Service |date=December 27, 2019|url=http://www.gov.to/press-release/activation-of-fuaamotu-tropical-cyclone-warnings-centre-notice-2/}}{{cite press release|title=Tropical Cyclone Advisory Number 2 for Tonga on Tropical Cyclone Sarai (Category 1)|publisher=Tonga Meteorological Service |date=December 27, 2019|url=http://www.gov.to/press-release/tropical-cyclone-advisory-number-2-for-tonga-on-tropical-cyclone-sarai-category-1/}} This alert was kept in force over the next couple of days, along with strong wind and heavy rain warnings as well as flash flood advisories.{{cite press release|title=Tropical Cyclone Advisory Number 5 for Tonga on Tropical Cyclone Sarai (Category 2)|publisher=Tonga Meteorological Service |date=December 28, 2019|url=http://www.gov.to/press-release/tropical-cyclone-advisory-number-5-for-tonga-on-tropical-cyclone-sarai-category-2/}} A gale warning was issued for the island groups of Tongatapu and Eua as well as the coastal waters of Tele-Ki-Tonga and Tele-Ki-Tokelau during December 28.{{cite press release|title=Tropical Cyclone Advisory Number 9 for Tonga on Tropical Cyclone Sarai (Category 2)|publisher=Tonga Meteorological Service |date=December 28, 2019|url=http://www.gov.to/press-release/tropical-cyclone-advisory-number-09-for-tonga-on-tropical-cyclone-sarai-category-2/}} A gale warning was subsequently issued for Vava'u and Ha'apai during December 30, as it appeared that Sarai was now moving towards the island groups.{{cite press release|title=Tropical Cyclone Advisory Number 19 for Tonga on Tropical Cyclone Sarai (Category 2)|publisher=Tonga Meteorological Service |date=December 30, 2019|url=http://www.gov.to/press-release/tropical-cyclone-advisory-number-19-for-tonga-on-tropical-cyclone-sarai-category-2/}}{{cite press release|title=Vava'u and Ha'apai on alert|date=December 29, 2019|publisher=Tonga Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications|url=http://www.gov.to/press-release/vavau-and-haapai-on-alert/}} In preparation for Sarai impacting the island nation, international flights to and from Tonga were cancelled, while evacuation centers in the island groups were opened and stocked with emergency supplies by the Tonga Red Cross Society and other relief agencies.{{cite news|title=Tongan authorities are preparing as tropical cyclone Sarai approaches |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/406363/tongan-authorities-are-preparing-as-tropical-cyclone-sarai-approaches |access-date=December 30, 2019 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=December 30, 2019}}

During December 31, the FMS issued a gale warning for the island of Niue, as winds of between {{convert|55-65|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} were expected to impact the island nation.{{cite report|title=Special Weather Bulletin Number 2 for Niue on Tropical Cyclone Sarai December 31, 2019 08z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service|date=December 31, 2019}} Heavy rain, heavy swells and sea flooding were also predicted to impact parts of the island nation, while flooding of low-lying coastal areas was also expected. At this time, the system was located about {{convert|460|km|mi|abbr=on|round=5}} to the west-southwest of Niue. This warning was cancelled by the FMS later that day as Sarai weakened into a tropical depression, however, it was still expected to produce strong winds of up to {{convert|55|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} on the island.

On January 1, the FMS issued a gale warning for the Southern Cook Islands as winds of between {{convert|45-75|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} were expected to impact the islands.{{cite report|title=Special Weather Bulletin Number 1 for [the] Southern Cooks on Tropical Depression 03F January 1, 2020 23z|publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |date=January 1, 2020}} Heavy rain, squally thunderstorms, high seas and heavy swells were also predicted to impact the island nation, while flooding of low-lying coastal areas was also expected. At this time, the system was located about {{convert|130|km|mi|abbr=on|round=5}} to the south-southwest of the island of Rarotonga and was moving towards the east-southeast at about {{convert|9|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. As a result of these conditions, the Cook Islands Police Service warned residents to exercise extreme caution and avoid beachfront areas on the western side of Rarotonga, including the seawall in Nikao.{{cite news|work=Cook Islands News|title=Storm slams west coast |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/item/75459-storm-slams-west-coast|date=January 3, 2020}}{{cite news|title=Cook Islands battered by ex-tropical Cyclone Sarai|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/world/cook-islands-battered-ex-tropical-cyclone-sarai|work=TVNZ |date=January 1, 2020}}

Sarai impacted Fiji between December 26 - 30, where it was responsible for two deaths and at least FJ$5 million (US$2.3 million) in damage.

Strong winds and heavy rain associated with Sarai started to impact Fiji's northern division during December 26, with rainfall totals of {{convert|144|mm|in|abbr=on}}, {{convert|117|mm|in|abbr=on}} & {{convert|116|mm|in|abbr=on}} recorded at the weather stations in Saqani, Vaturekuka and at Udu Point. Over the next few days, gale to storm-force winds as well as heavy rain impacted western and southern Fiji.{{cite news |title='Howling wind, flying debris' as Cyclone Sarai hammers Fiji |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/wind-flying-debris-cyclone-sarai-hammers-fiji-191228054854562.html |access-date=December 28, 2019 |work=Al Jazeera |agency=Agence France-Presse |publisher=Al Jazeera Media Network |date=December 28, 2019}} Strong winds caused power outages in parts of Nadi. Widespread power outages also afflicted Fiji's Central, Northern, and Western Divisions. One person was hospitalised after being struck by a falling tree.{{cite news|title=Tropical Cyclone Sarai wreaks havoc in Fiji |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/tropical-cyclone-sarai-wreaks-havoc-in-fiji/ |access-date=December 30, 2019 |work=The Fiji Times |agency=Radio New Zealand |publisher=Fiji Times Limited |date=December 30, 2019 |location=Suva, Fiji}} {{subscription required}} One person drowned in strong currents off Kadavu Island while another person drowned crossing a flooded road in Vunidawa. A vehicle carrying six passengers was swept away in Naqelewai after attempting to cross a flooded bridge, though all were uninjured.{{cite news |last1=Nacei |first1=Luke |title=TC Sarai: Naqelewai villagers washed away by strong currents |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/tc-sarai-strong-currents-experienced-in-levuka/ |access-date=December 28, 2019 |newspaper=The Fiji Times |date=December 27, 2019}} {{subscription required}} Widespread flooding occurred in low-lying areas. On Matuku Island, sustained winds topped out at {{cvt|74|km/h|mph}} on the morning of 29 December with gusts to {{cvt|93|km/h|mph}}.{{cite press release|title=TC Sarai Southeast of Kadavu and Continues Moving East Towards Southern Lau |url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/Media%20Releases/Media%20Release%20No%2049.pdf |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |access-date=December 28, 2019 |page=4 |date=December 29, 2019|type=Media Release}} In the Nadarivatu District, {{convert|327|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rain was recorded over a 24-hour period between December 27–28; {{convert|126|mm|in|abbr=on}} was recorded at Nadi International Airport over the same timeframe.{{cite report|title=TC Sarai Anticipated to Track Close to Matuku Early Tomorrow Morning |url=http://www.met.gov.fj/aifs_prods/Media%20Releases/Media%20Release%20No%2048.pdf |publisher=Fiji Meteorological Service |access-date=December 28, 2019 |location=Nadi, Fiji |page=4 |date=December 28, 2019|type=Media Release}} Rough surf was experienced in Fijian waters, including offshore Levuka.{{cite news |last1=Nacei |first1=Luke |title=TC Sarai: Strong currents experienced in Levuka |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/tc-sarai-strong-currents-experienced-in-levuka/ |access-date=December 28, 2019 |work=The Fiji Times |agency=The Fiji Times |publisher=Fiji Times Limited |date=December 27, 2019 |location=Suva, Fiji}} {{subscription required}}

While the initial damage assessment indicated damage to critical infrastructures were minimal, tropical Sarai disrupted services for water supply, electricity, public transport and road accessibility. Damages to agricultural commodities may-be substantial in some areas. At the time of the production of this report, Unfortunately, there were two confirmed casualties of tropical cyclone Sarai, one in Naitasiri and the other in Kadavu, both victims of drowning.{{cite web|date=2019-12-31|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/406461/fiji-assesses-damage-left-in-cyclone-sarai-s-wake|title=Fiji assesses damage left in Cyclone Sarai's wake|publisher=Radio New Zealand|access-date=2021-03-11}}

File:Sarai 2019-12-31 0116Z.jpg on December 31]]

The centre of Sarai passed over Tongatapu, Tonga's main island, on December 31.{{cite news |title=Tropical Cyclone Sarai passing over Tonga's main island|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/406431/tropical-cyclone-sarai-passing-over-tonga-s-main-island |access-date=December 31, 2019 |agency=Radio New Zealand |date=December 31, 2019 |location=Wellington, New Zealand}} Flights connecting to Nuku'alofa via Fua'amotu International Airport were disrupted, affecting an estimated 1,220 travellers. Damage was generally minor on the island; flooding affected areas with poor drainage and winds knocked down power lines. Sarai produced a waterspout that moved onshore and damaged homes in Ha‘ateiho on Tongatapu on December 30. The roof of a church and a store were also damaged by the tornado, which lasted for 2-3 minutes.{{cite news|title=Tornado hits Ha'ateiho|url=https://matangitonga.to/2019/12/30/tornado-haateiho |access-date=December 31, 2019 |work=Matangitonga |publisher=Vava'u Press |date=December 30, 2019 |location=Nuku'alofa, Tonga}} Another waterspout touched down in the Ha’apai island group but caused no damage.{{cite news |last1=Gee |first1=Eleanor |title=TC Sarai causes minor damage on Tongatapu |url=https://matangitonga.to/2019/12/31/tc-sarai-tongatapu |access-date=December 31, 2019 |work=Matangitonga |publisher=Vava'u Press |date=December 31, 2019 |location=Nuku'alofa, Tonga}} Ahead of the system impacting Tonga, evacuation centres were set up, however, there were no reports of anyone seeking shelter.{{cite news|title=Tonga cancels cyclone alert for Kingdom|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/406506/tonga-cancels-cyclone-alert-for-kingdom|access-date=January 9, 2020 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=January 3, 2020}} There were also no reports of any injuries, deaths, while minor damage was reported, with some flooding reported in areas with poor drainage, fallen power lines, and flattened vegetation. The major damage so far was caused by the tornado were unknown, which ripped through Ha'ateiho homes on Monday, but there were no injuries or deaths reported.

The system passed, approximately 215 km (135 mi) to the southeast of the island nation of Niue. However, the damages, if any were minor.

Various people ignored the warnings imposed in the southern Cook Islands and lined the beaches to take photos of the storm while others drove their vehicles and bikes through the high waves that had come in over the seawall and covered the road. One person was seen climbing over the seawall and into the direct path of the storm's impact, however, there were no reports of any injuries. Large trees on the island were uprooted, snapped, and scattered across properties by strong winds, while coconuts, vegetation, and debris brought in by the tide were also scattered across properties. Boats docked within Avatiu Harbour were severely impacted, while the police vessel Te Kukupa smashed its mooring and had to be taken to the northern side of the island to wait out the storm.

Due to its effects on several islands, the cyclone name, Sarai, was retired and replaced with Samadiyo for future usage.

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Category:Tropical cyclones in 2019

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Category:Retired South Pacific cyclones