15 Dec Tracking the HTHH – in the aftermath
The volcanic eruption of Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) and subsequent tsunami gripped the world on Saturday January 15th, 2022 and plunged Tonga into darkness for over a week and a half. The blast that could be felt as far as Peru was produced by an extraordinary underground volcano, while it may not look like much from the surface as Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai are two islands that subsequently merged into one standing 100m above sea level at 65km North of mainland Tongatapu – below lurks a much bigger structure. A massive volcano measured approximately 1800km high and 20 km wide.
This is the account of the experiences from the ground the moment the eruptions took place and rocked the island nation of Tonga from the perspective of MORDI Tonga.
Saturday January 15th, 2022.
Roughly around after 5pm while the sun was still high a series of violent eruptions that radiate sound and air pressure felt by all Tongan inhabitants. A mushroom cloud quickly billowed over the sky and descended at a rapacious rate across Ha’apai to the immediate North to Northeast of HTHH and covered South to South East direction of Tongatapu and ‘Eua.
The streets of CBD Nuku’alofa were heavily congested with traffic as people were flying to flee to higher ground. An immediate tsunami warning was issued through the radio first responders were executing evacuation protocols to the low-lying coastal areas. Ash fallout, small rocks and acid rain began to descend upon the land as the skies darkened within a few short minutes of the explosions.
MORDI Tonga HQ’s assisted vehicles that had broken down and ushered family into the office. Families sought shelter at the HQ’s overnight and offered rest and respite to others in need. Food and water were available for these wayward travellers.
The streets continued to be at a standstill heading out towards higher ground, network had been spotty as soon as the explosions took place taking out any means of communication inter-island, international as well as downing the internet connection.
The staff members on site had already detached downpipes to the rainwater storages to avoid water contamination as report from head geologist Mr Taaniela KULA had advised the day before as nearby islands of Fonoifua and Mango had reported ash fallout. As a precaution a nation wide evacuation message was sent through the radio and first responders.
Sunday January 16th, 2022.
The nation woke up to a grey tinged world, ash had in effect covered any exposed surface and obscuring color – lending to the eeriness of the aftermath. Reports slowly made its way in of the level of destruction and immediate needs from the Town Officers and District Officers.
MORDI Tonga was immediately activated under the cluster groups coordinated by the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) to which it belongs to Health, Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (HNWASH), Food Security & Livelihoods and Shelter Cluster. MORDI Tonga will hand over daily reports including media captured to NEMO.
The organization received messages of immediate relief needed to affected populations but could not initiate any assistance due to Sabbath regulations.
Extensive damage has occurred to the large nursery, clean efforts will be required to clear out salvageable plants. The vegetation in the demonstration plots have been badly affected. Almost over 90% of the breadfruit trees are weighed down by the ash fall and all vegetation seem to have to withered and suffer from crushing weight of the ash.
Monday January 17th, 2022.
The call for immediate help to ‘Eueiki from the Town Officer Mr Sinipata MULI was heeded by the organization. A team made it out by at Vuna Wharf using the Vakatasi boat to set out to ‘Eueiki island. It had on board a total of 400 litres of drinking water in multiple 20 litre bottles and 8 rakes to assist with initial clean up.
The waters were still very rough and access to the landing site was impossible, under the direction of the Town Officer the team was directed to the Northern part of the island. The Town Officer and an experienced diver swam to the boat with flotation devices to collect the water bottles. It took them two trip to complete the transference of the water onto the island.
There is a total of 16 households, a total of 63 people – 14 male and 15 female. The Town Officer is in constant contact with the organization as well as Local Government to coordinate relief aid and address their immediate needs.
The population cannot leave the island as all their boats have been destroyed from the tsunami waves. The Town Officer will be making arrangements with government agencies to secure a boat to ferry the islanders to mainland to meet their basic needs and services such as medical services.
Communities across Tonga, Ha’apai and ‘Eua have initiated clean ups and engaging youth and church groups to assist in these efforts. Many households are cleaning up the streets and hosing their rooftops and homes down. This has caused much concern as little rain has occurred since the event and the use of water for cleaning up will inevitably cause major stress on water availability.
Tuesday January 18th, 2022.
MORDI Tonga went out to Western Tongatapu to conduct preliminary damage assessment survey to the communities of ‘Ahau, Kanokupolu and Ha’atafu. The team was able to document and capture video, photography, drone footage and inspections to the initiatives of the project being implemented to the communities.
The remaining staff members remained at the office to do a major overhaul and clean up on site as the damage to the nursery including the plantation was substantial.
The dust and fine particles are being shifted around as North Westerly winds are moving in. Air quality is bad, and everyone has heeded public health advice to wear masks and wearing as much clothes that covers skin.
Wednesday January 19th, 2022
The team has been tasked to distribute drinking water bottles, Rotary Kit, Hygiene Kit and Shelter Toolkit to Kanokupolu. Kanokupolu sustained the most severe damage to the community of the 3 affected by the tsunami waves. These resources are mixture of resources already on hand here at MORDI Tonga as well as resources NEMO has released for the organization to distribute.
Houses were destroyed, trees uprooted and strewn across the road making access to the community and to the next community difficult to navigate. Kanokupolu’s access to water has been completely destroyed as pipes connecting the community to its water source has been demolished by the waves.
There are 69 households in Kanokupolu, a total of 376 individuals with the majority making up adolescents and youths.
Clean up efforts continue at the HQ’s as well as across the islands. The dust is still a major problem for many especially those with respiratory issues. Face masks are still worn when outdoors. Aid from
Thursday January 20th, 2022
A second trip on the Vakatasi has been made to deliver water bottles to the island of ‘Eueiki. The cargo included 640 litres of water (32 20liter water bottles), food rations, Caritas Hygiene Kits and Community care packages/cargo bound for families which were mainly food and essential items
The community was able to get hold of a boat but unfortunately is without an engine. The small boat rows to the Vakatasi and is pulled back into shore by rope attached to it. A sick girl is being transported onboard due taken to mainland due to medical reasons.
Relief aid was distributed to the community of ‘Ahau that included a total of 600 litres of water (30 x 20litres water bottle) as well as 30 Rotary Kits. There are a total of 39 households in ‘Ahau and a total of 220 individuals.
The dust issue is still problematic, clean up remains high priority for all.
Friday January 21st, 2022
A limited amount of seats were available on the Naval MV Ngahau Koula that was bound for ‘Eua and a team of 4 from MORDI Tonga were able to secure a ride. The ‘Eua wharf has been levelled and travel to ‘Eua has been very difficult. The nationals are working towards cleaning up the airstrip so flights can resume and assist in response and recovery efforts.
The team’s cargo included 110 Rotary kits and assisted in the distribution of drinking water, hygiene kits and shelter toolkits.
The affected community that the aid targeted were 51 households of which a total of 347 individuals are targeted.
A meeting with the District Officer of ‘Eua Fo’ou and ‘Eua Motua as well as the NEMO OIC was conducted. The team was assisted by the ‘Ohonua Town Officer to verify damaged households.
MORDI Tonga has been informed the HMNZ Aotearoa will arrive Saturday January 22nd, 2022 with bulk water supply to offload to shore alongside relief stores. The operation will be completely contactless in observance of COVID-19 restrictions.
Saturday January 22nd, 2022
MORDI Tonga has taken brand new rainwater tanks to the wharf where HMNZ Aotearoa to fill with water. 4 x 5000litre rainwater tanks were filled and successfully delivered to ‘Ahau and Ha’atafu community – Kanokupolu community rainwater tanks had been delivered by NEMO. Handwashing kits provided for by CARE Australia to the organization was also distributed.
It has been a week and the dust situation has not abated. Ongoing repairs are still underway to the cable to re-establish internet connection. The dust and ash still remain a large nuisance to many and many are continuing to protect themselves by wearing masks. Traveling is still largely done that has only further aggravated the dust.
The power much like the internet is 90% restored but still intermittent.
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