A small nation rising from the ashes against all odds- receives rain.

15 Dec A small nation rising from the ashes against all odds- receives rain.

2022/02/11 – As the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai eruption spewed ash that blanketed the islands of Ha’apai, Tongatapu and ‘Eua – the need for rain to help settle the dust was great. Forecast for rainfall was not due any time soon for Tonga and as people armed up and went out to clean up, many held hope for rain.

To combat the dust issue that is further aggravated by speeding vehicles during the day, many households have taken the ash and constructed many speed bumps along the road. This had prompted actions directed by the Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku for the removal of these structures or face a hefty fine.

Thirteen days later it seemed the prayers of many were answered as the heavens opened and poured rain. It rained for many days leading up to the second positive case of COVID-19 as a trough moved across the islands bringing periods of heavy rainfall and strong winds.

While the rain has provided much relief for vegetation that was caked with ash, the problem still remains unless it is moved from areas that can cause more harm than good.

The ash has many benefits for soil quality that can promote plant health, a positive from this disaster for many rural households that are smallholder farmers. However, if still left undealt with near and around common areas it will still pose a risk to many especially the young and elderly and those with chronic respiratory problems.

The twin disaster of COVID-19 and the ash are evils that must be avoided at all costs. Shortly before the COVID lockdown schools had begun their academic year and many parents and guardians were worried infrastructure and public buildings were not adequately cleaned before their children resumed studying. These concerns were quelled by education officials who re-assured parents that the hazardous levels of ash has been dealt with by the use of contracting cleaning services prior to the commencement of the school year.

The public roads of CBD such as Taufa’ahau road has been cleared of ash largely due to the citizens and the youth. Ongoing cleaning efforts are continuing as response turns to recovery efforts. However, due to COVID-19 positive cases breaching a two year case free strategy these recovery efforts may be delayed indefinitely as Tongatapu is seized with the pandemic.

During press releases the health authorities remain hopeful that this strain is Omicron and not the virulent strain Delta that lay siege to many countries.