Tonga faces further eruptions and ‘unprecedented disaster’

New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry warned, Tuesday further eruptions of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano were likely, posing yet another tsunami risk for Tonga and New Zealand, CNN reported.  

“The most likely scenario is for ongoing eruptions in the next several days to weeks, with ongoing tsunami risk to Tonga and New Zealand,” the ministry said.  

Separately Reuters reported on Wednesday that hundreds of homes in Tonga’s smaller outer islands have been destroyed, with at least 3 dead, after Saturday’s huge eruption triggered tsunami waves that rolled over the islands.  

Waves reaching up to 15m hit the outer Ha’apai  island group, destroying all the houses on the island of Mango, as well as the west coast of Tonga’s main island, Tongatapu, where 56 houses were destroyed.  

The islands are now reeling with a severe water crisis where The Red Cross said its teams in Tonga had confirmed that salt water from the tsunami and volcanic ash were polluting the drinking water of tens of thousands of people.

“Securing access to safe drinking water is a critical immediate priority as there is a mounting risk of diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea,” it said in a statement.  2 New Zealand navy vessels will arrive in Tonga on Friday carrying critical water supplies for the Pacific island nation, Reuters reported.  

The U.S. Agency for International Development approved $100,000 in immediate assistance, and Japan said it would give more than $1 million in aid as well as drinking water and equipment to clear ash. 
Wellington Jan 18 (Courtesy: CNN/Reuters)