Community consultations are underway in Vava’u to help Tonga Meteorological Services establish a Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) policy for the country.

The policy will better guide works associated with early warning and preparedness to natural disasters.

At the same time, Tonga MET is also collecting traditional knowledge on weather and climate and raising disaster awareness in schools and communities.

Consultations have already been held in parts of Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Niuatoputapu, and Tafahi.

Director of Meteorology, ‘Ofa Fa’anunu said because everyone is affected by extreme events here in Tonga, it’s crucial that we capture everyone’s views (inclusiveness) irrespective of geographical location, livelihoods, gender and age.

“For Tonga to have an effective early warning system everybody must be on board and no one is left behind.”

Traditional knowledge

Tonga MET will add traditional knowledge to their forecasts to provide better and well understood warnings.

“There are weather and ocean phenomena that we can predict and the public could expect to receive a warning from the warning centre on what the conditions are like and likely to be based on scientific instrumentation and interpretation of scientific data,” said ‘Ofa.

“However, there are extreme events like local tsunami, tornadoes, thunderstorms and effects of local terrain that happen on extremely short time scales that only natural signs and traditional indicators can be used for warnings. It is important that we know these warning signs.”

“Combining traditional indicators and contemporary forecasts helps us to look at our warnings from two perspectives and we are finding it easier to communicate to communities by using the language and the terms the communities are used to,” he said.

Meanwhile, there are challenges in implementing Early Warning Systems in Vava’u, with communications an issue in some of the more isolated islands.

“Without proper communications, early warning will be a challenge. These are the real issues we have to see how we can overcome as well.” said 'Ofa. 

Tonga MET aims to complete consultation activities in April 2021 and submit a draft MHEWS policy to cabinet for consideration and endorsement in May 2021.

Consultation and awareness programs in Vava’u are being carried out by 14 staff members of the Tonga Meteorological Service. 

At the same time, the new Vava'u Emergency Coordination Centre will be opened in Vava'u tomorrow at an official event to be attended by HM King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u.