SUVA -- The Meteorology Department of Tonga has issued an El Nino alert for the country, forecasting that there is a 70 percent chance of El Nino forming this year, reported local media on Saturday.

The alert was issued on Friday, saying El Nino is expected to start in the July to August 2023 time frame in Tonga, the report said, adding that this means the Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean is now warmer than usual.

According to the department, if El Nino occurs in the coming months, the likely impacts on Tonga will include cooler nights, less rainfall over the next six to 12 months, and more tropical cyclones in the next cyclone season from November this year to April 2024.

The department advised the country to carry out necessary preparations to minimize the risks and impacts for the next three to six months.