Hoodies sell out in Tonga as El Niño brings wintry chill

Residents on island rush to buy warm clothing and heaters amid unusually cold winter weather for the Pacific nation

Tonga is bracing for more chilly weather as the Pacific nation shivers through one of its coldest winters ever, sparking a rush for jackets and heating units.

The island has experienced unusually cold weather through July and Tonga Meteorological Services (TMS) recorded a low of 9.3 degrees Celsius at the Lapaha village weather station at the end of the month. The country's record low of 8.7C was set in September 1994.