On December 28, 2019, Fiji fell victim to the destructive forces of Tropical Cyclone Sarai, a category two cyclone. The storm swept across the island nation, leaving behind a trail of significant damage before moving east toward the Tongan waters at a pace roughly equivalent to 10 kmh.
Tropical Cyclone Sarai: The Details
Tropical Cyclone Sarai is classified as a category two cyclone, which is known for its powerful winds and potential for causing extensive damage. The storm is expected to generate average winds of up to 110km/hr, with momentary gusts reaching as high as 150km/hr near its center.
The Impacted Areas: Fiji and Tonga
Fiji, an archipelago situated in the South Pacific Ocean, surrounds the Koro Sea approximately 1,300 miles north of Auckland, New Zealand. The country bore the brunt of Tropical Cyclone Sarai’s wrath before it started its journey eastward to the Tongan waters.
Tonga, officially known as the Kingdom of Tonga and often referred to as the Friendly Islands, lies in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, to the east of Fiji. As Sarai continues its path east, there is growing concern for potential impacts on Tonga as well.
Understanding the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS) is an essential tool for categorizing the strength and potential destruction of hurricanes. It is a numerical scale ranging from 1 to 5 that provides an estimate of a hurricane’s sustained wind speed, thus projecting potential property damage.
The scale measures the extent of damage ranging from ‘some’ to ‘catastrophic’ that could be caused by hurricanes based on their sustained winds. Category two storms, like Tropical Cyclone Sarai, are known for extremely dangerous winds that can cause extensive damage.
Quick Facts about Tropical Cyclone Sarai
| Date | Location | Category | Wind Speed (avg) | Wind Speed (gusts) | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28, 2019 | Fiji | 2 | 110 km/hr | 150 km/hr | East towards Tonga |
Effects of Different Categories on Property Damage
When it comes to the SSHWS, each category corresponds to a certain level of expected property damage caused due to the hurricane winds. Category one hurricanes are associated with some damage due to very dangerous winds that range between 119-153 km/h.
On the other hand, Category two hurricanes, such as Sarai, exhibit wind speeds from 154-177 km/h and result in extensive damage. Category three hurricanes, known as major hurricanes, bring devastating damage and present winds from 178-208 km/h.
The SSHWS extends further to include categories four and five, both categorized as major hurricanes, with catastrophic damage outcomes. The winds, in these cases, range from 209-251 km/h and 252 km/h or higher, respectively.