Power is currently out for most of Apia and the island of Upolu, the Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.) has reported.

The west coast of the island is most affected by the outage, which has been caused by inclement weather including heavy rainfall and massive wind gusts on Saturday afternoon.

Weather conditions have intensified over the afternoon especially on the west coast. On Friday the Samoa Meteorological Service (S.M.S.) issued warnings for heavy rainfall and warned of possible landslides and floods in vulnerable areas. 

Power lines have been seen swaying in the wind over and along the roads, while car drivers have been forced off the road due to intense blasts of wind. 

Forecasters say the dire conditions are a side-effect of Samoa's proximity to Tropical Cyclone Tino has strengthened into a Cyclone 3 today. But the S.M.S. said on Friday despite these effects, the cyclone would not land on Samoan shores. 

Tropical Cyclone Tino is expected to move out of Fiji Waters by this afternoon and will approach Tonga later tonight.

Fiji forecasters have warned of the cyclones potential to wreak "devastating" winds of up to 90 miles-per-hour.

The storm was upgraded to category 2 overnight but since further intensified to category three this morning.

Update: 4.30pm

According to an update from the E.P.C. electricity was restored from Tanugamanono to Avele on Saturday afternoon after the clearance of trees that had collapsed onto power lines. Parts of Pesega to Lotopa, Tuanaimato, to Vailoa also had their electricity restored while restoration work was projected to continue into Saturday night. 

Power has also been listed as being restored to parts of Afega to Nofoalii, and all the way to Faleolo.

The resumption of heavy rainfall late on Saturday could interfere with ongoing restoration works. 

Update: 5pm

Power has now also been disconnected in the east and southeast coast of Upolu as more fallen trees and tree branches came into contact with power poles. The affected villages spanned from Tiavea down to Poutasi Falealili.