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Cyclone Wati strengthens to Category 2 in Cook Islands waters, Aitutaki sets up 24-hour emergency HQ

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Cyclone Wati has strengthened into a Category 2 system as it moves south-east through Cook Islands waters, RNZ and Pacific Media Network reported, citing the Cook Islands Meteorological Service (CIMS). At 8 am local time on Saturday, 17 October 2026 (11.30 pm IST), Wati was about 160 km south of Suwarrow, moving south-east at 12 km/h, with sustained winds of 100 km/h near its centre and gusts up to 140 km/h.

Cyclone Wati: NASA Terra satellite view of the storm's cloud bands over the South Pacific on 17 October 2026
NASA Terra satellite view of the storm's cloud bands over the South Pacific on 17 October 2026 Photo: NASA Worldview, EOSDIS (MODIS Terra imagery; public domain).

Where Cyclone Wati is expected to go

Wati is expected to move south-east over the weekend and to intensify into a Category 3 system for a time on Sunday while staying over open waters, the reports said. Forecasters expected the centre to pass about 270 km north-north-east of Palmerston and to be about 200 km north-north-west of Aitutaki by 2 am on Sunday. While the eye is forecast to stay at sea, heavy rain, squally thunderstorms and dangerous swells are expected to affect surrounding island groups. CIMS has issued weather alerts across the whole Cook Islands group. RNZ said Wati was then over the Northern Cook Islands and was expected to be about 300 km south-south-east of Suwarrow by 2 pm on Saturday. Suwarrow is a remote atoll in the northern group, while Aitutaki and Palmerston lie in the southern group.

Key Facts

  • Category: 2, may reach Category 3 on Sunday
  • Winds: 100 km/h, gusts 140 km/h
  • Position (8 am Sat): about 160 km S of Suwarrow
  • Closest to Aitutaki: about 200 km NNW, early Sunday
  • Aitutaki: 24-hour emergency HQ opened

Aitutaki's 24-hour emergency headquarters

Aitutaki Mayor Nicholas Henry said an emergency headquarters had been set up at the Power Station conference room and would be staffed around the clock from Saturday evening until the alert passes, according to Pacific Media Network, which quoted his remarks to the Cook Islands News. He said police, the island government, the Red Cross, Vodafone and government agencies had put preparations in place. Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI) has published an interactive map on Facebook so families can find their nearest shelter and plan a route. “Alerts have been shared with the general public over the past 24 hours and the preparations have been very positive,” Henry said.

Advice for boats, families and travellers

CIMS urged residents to get ready and stay prepared. Fishermen, boat operators and inter-island vessels should closely watch marine forecasts and warnings and avoid going to sea if conditions are unsafe, the reports said. People were told to keep checking official CIMS updates and to follow advice from the authorities. The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System listed Wati as an orange-level tropical cyclone alert for the Cook Islands. Officials said updates would continue until the alert is lifted. In Aitutaki, PMN reported, memories of past cyclone damage were driving island-wide readiness.

Why It Matters: Small Pacific island communities depend on early warnings and shelters, and even a cyclone that stays at sea can bring damaging swells and floods.

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Source: RNZ Pacific: TC Wati strengthens to Category 2 · Pacific Media Network · GDACS: WATI-26

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