A tropical cyclone alert is now in force for Niue as Cyclone Tam is hitting the islands of northern Tonga.
The storm's centre was about 200 kilometres from Vava'u in northern Tonga as the system is moving in a southeasterly direction.
The Tongan islands of Niuafo'ou and Niuatoputapu as well as the Ha'apai and the Vava'u group can expect damaging gale force winds.
Forecasters say on its current path, Cyclone Tam will move south more than 300 kilometers west of Niue, bringing strong winds to the island.
