Govt. schools remain closed, bad weather predicted to continue

By Adel Fruean 19 February 2020, 7:00PM

The Government has extended the temporary closure of all public schools until Monday next week.

The announcement was made by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture on Wednesday evening as the Met Office cautioned the nation to expect more bad weather in the coming days. 

The bad weather which is expected to bring more heavy rain and strong winds is the result of an active cloud band remaining over the country, the Samoa Meteorological Office warns.

A Scientific Officer from the Samoa Meteorological Service, Annie Maua, said that there is a Tropical Disturbance 07F located to the west of Wallis and Futuna which has a low moderate potential to develop into a Tropical Cyclone within the next 24hours.

During an interview with the Samoa Observer, Annie Maua said that despite the low potential of the Tropical Disturbance 07F developing into cyclone there is a possibility that things can change.

She added that the active cloud band currently lying over Samoa is associated with an active convergence zone that is directing strong winds with higher gusts.

“I think that schools should continue to close due to bad weather conditions, it is not safe for children,” she said.

Ms. Maua added that the aforementioned system will maintain severe weather conditions for the islands for today (Wednesday).

There is an expected persistent of strong and damaging winds torrential rain and damaging heavy swells.

“The system is forecasted to maintain its southeast movement with slight intensification.

“With potential impacts such as heavy downpours with poor visibility, strong and gusty winds with flying objects, foggy and slippery roads over mountain passes and ranges, strong river outflow and landslides, pooling near roadsides and waterways. 

“Strong currents as well as rough seas and coastal inundating. Uproot breakable trees.”

The Meteorological Office has issued wind warning, heavy rain warning, flood warnings in effect for all of Samoa.

Parts of the town area and Pesega have been hit by flooding repeatedly during the past few days.

 

 

By Adel Fruean 19 February 2020, 7:00PM
Samoa Observer

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