Aid flight from New Zealand arrives in Tonga as tsunami cleanup continues

Update (Jan. 20, 2022): After the volcanic eruption that caused the Tonga tsunami left the country’s main airport runway covered in ash, officials were finally able to clear the runway enough to land the first aid flights since the eruption happened. The flights, which carried water containers, kits for temporary shelters, generators, hygiene supplies and communications equipment to Tonga Thursday, were from New Zealand and Australia. One of the aid flights is shown in the video above.

“There was a mammoth effort by His Majesty’s Armed Forces to clear that runway by hand. And they’ve achieved that this afternoon,” Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral James Gilmour said Thursday.

Japan also said it is sending emergency relief, including drinking water and equipment for cleaning away volcanic ash. The country’s Defense Ministry said two planes left Thursday evening local time, and a transport vessel carrying two helicopters will depart as soon as it is ready.

Original Story (Jan. 18, 2022): In its first update since a tsunami that hit Tonga over the weekend, the Tongan government upped the death toll from the disaster to three Tuesday. In addition to a British national whose body was found on Monday, the government announced a 65-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man had been killed. A number of injuries were also reported.

The government also announced several of the country’s islands suffered extensive damage from the tsunami. In a statement, the office of Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said every home on Mango island, where around 50 people live, had been destroyed. Meanwhile, only two houses remained on Fonoifua, and Namuka island also suffered extensive damage.

The update came as the government is still struggling to communicate with the island nation. Communications were badly hampered by the severing of an undersea cable. The video above includes Tonga’s speaker of parliament provided an update on communications.

“I’ve been informed by Digicel that they are close to reestablishing some level of 2G service in Tonga. I’ve also received news from WanToc that within the next 24 to 48 hours they may be able to restore some level of service,” Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua said Tuesday. “What that means for Tongans in Tonga and our diaspora overseas is that we’ll be able to be in touch with our loved ones by voice and international text and some level of email will also be available with small attachments.”

The Tonga tsunami was caused by a volcanic eruption underwater, leading to concerns over ash polluting the air and water. Those concerns persisted Tuesday.

“The ash is proving quite problematic, not just for water and sanitation because Tonga collects its water from the roofs of households, but in terms of access for the aid from Australia, New Zealand and other flights,” Lord Fakafanua said.

New Zealand’s military is sending much-needed drinking water and other supplies, as shown in the video above. However, New Zealand officials said ash on an airport runway will delay the flight at least a day. Fakafanua said up to 60% of the runway has been cleared manually.

In addition to the ash problem, scientists say the eruption could have a long lasting impact on coral reefs, coastlines and fisheries in the wider region. It could also cause acid rain.