by Stuart J Batty
Situation:
- No further fatalities reported. The official fatality number remains at three.
- Digicel has restored limited international voice and text connectivity with Tonga, via a satellite connection. This became available at about 10:00 PM last night. The link is operating at full capacity, i.e. there are more calls and texts than the connection can sustain.
- The tsunami is estimated to have impacted around 1800+ households’ food supplies across Tonga (approximately 5,000 individuals). Basic food items are needed – flour, tin fish, milk powder, etc…
- The most affected areas have had plantations and crops completely destroyed, and seawater has seeped into the soil. It will take time for the soil to rehabilitate and it is expected that it will be about three months before anything can be grown on affected areas. Food supply during this period will be a significant issue.
- Fisheries of coastal areas has been significantly affected and the government has advised against fishing or consuming any fish.
- WHO in-country officer advises that no international medical teams should be required at this stage. Nuku’alofa hospital has treated a small number of minor injuries and has not been overwhelmed.
- The health team deployed to Nomuka has mostly treated minor injuries. Only one patient is being brought back to Nuku’alofa Hospital with others being treated in Nomuka. The police station in Nomuka has been extensively damaged and is uninhabitable.
- Access to safe drinking water remains one of the highest priorities but it is difficult to obtain a clear assessment of the extent of need. Nuku’alofa’s town water supply is safe to drink but most people now rely on bottled water. Tongan authorities have advised residents to abstain from drinking rain water until further information is available.
- In Ha’apai, a significant number of rain water tanks have either been damaged by tsunami waves or contaminated with ash and access to clean drinking water is now a major issue.
- Access to fuel in Ha’apai remains a concern and Lifuka airport is currently closed.
- The Ha’apai police station is damaged. The tsumani waves significantly damaged the fuel and water reservoirs and these now present the biggest risk for local police in Pagai (Ha’apai main island). All vehicles and the search and rescue boats are operational but fuel, water and cleaning supplies are the most pressing needs. ‘Eua police station is still standing but uninhabitable, but all contents have been damaged or destroyed. Vava’u police station has sustained no damage or loss but resupply issues are a concern.
Government of Tonga Response:
- Post representatives attended today’s National Emergency Management Committee (NEMC) meeting. Readout is as follows:
- Repatriation flight from New Zealand remains a high priority; next Tuesday is the most likely option. The Tanoa Hotel will be utilised for repatriation passengers.
- Submarine cable repair ship is due to arrive in Tonga in three days time. Internet connectivity is expected to be restored by 10 February, i.e. three weeks from today.
- Tonga requests regular updates from New Zealand on COVID-19 Omicron developments.
- On Tonga’s capacity to offload water, officials advised it may take up two days to offload from HMNZS Aotearoa –250,000 L.
- Tonga is seeking support from New Zealand for testing capabilities to determine if fish is safe for consumption.
New Zealand Government Response:
- A C-130 Hercules landed in Tonga at 4:00 PM today with essential supplies, including equipment to support the reestablishment of communications. Acting High Commissioner (and Post Liaison team) and PM Sovaleni were at the airport to meet the incoming RNZAF flight.
- The next C-130 flight is scheduled for Saturday at the request of the Tongan Government due to offload capacity constraints at the airport.
- Aerial surveillance data from the second P-3K2 flight has been provided to the Government of Tonga. New Zealand is seeking Tonga’s permission to publicly release the data as soon as possible. This is expected to be considered at tomorrow’s NEMC meeting.
Other Pacific Island Updates:
- The initial report from the Fiji P3 surveillance is that nil damage, ash or signs of distress were visible. An acid rain warning remains in place, and fishermen have been advised to refrain from collecting and eating seafood for the next two weeks at which time the advisory will be reviewed.
- The DFAT-funded Fiji inter-agency deployment to Southern Lau is due to depart this afternoon, carrying several Ministers and passengers from NDMO, RFMF, government departments and civil society organisations. The deployment will carry water testing equipment and distribute essential supplies including food, water and non-food items to coastal and low lying areas. A request for MFAT funding assistance for this event is not expected.
- Heavy rain, wind and marine advisories continue in force for Samoa, which may again result in deteriorating weather.
- Niue has now reopened it’s sea tracks and coastal areas, which had been closed in response to the eruption.