Results for Natural events

Satellite images of Tonga's Home Reef volcano, taken on 26 April, showed volcanic steam and discolorations around and from the volcano, the Tonga Geological Services reported today.

In a significant step towards enhancing disaster preparedness, the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO) has completed its final consultation with District and Town Officers of Tongatapu. This marks the conclusion of the initial phase of a nationwide effort to decentralize Disaster Risk Management (DRM), placing leadership, planning, and decision-making at the village level .

At least 3000 to 4000 people swiftly evacuated from the Nuku'alofa coastal areas to evacuation centres and inland areas in Tongatapu after the tsunami warning was issued last night, likely influenced by lessons learned from the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai event, said NDRMO Director, Mr. Mafua Maka. "Many families quickly moved inland, with some parking in safer, higher areas and staying in their vehicles."

During a month of extremely high rainfall in parts of Tonga in February, the highest 24-hour rainfall was 181.9mm recorded in Ha’apai on 15 February.

A low pressure system, at the end of Tropical Cyclone Rae, moved out of southern Tongan waters last night, and no longer poses a threat to Tonga. The Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Center was de-activated at 10:00 am this morning, 26 February, by the Tonga Meteorological Services.

A recent eruption at the Home Reef Volcano has produced a significant crater along with large rocks ejected, observed in satellite images taken of the remote island on 8 and 20 February. An ash plume is rising near the vent. Tonga Geological Services Volcano Watch Team warned mariners to stay at least 2 nautical miles away from Home Reef until further notice. Meanwhile, “the volcanic activity poses low risk to the Vava'u and Ha'apai communities,” they stated in a public notice issued at 8:30pm today, 21 February.

A Tropical Disturbance "TD05F" was located about 1700km west of Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu at 7:00am this morning, Tuesday 4 February, 2025. “The system does not pose a threat to Tonga in the next 24 to 48 hours”, reports Tonga Meteorological Services.

A cyclone warning for the Niuas, Vava'u and Ha'apai, issued on Friday was cancelled by Tonga Meteorological Services on 11 January. TC Pita category 1, the first cyclone of the season for Tonga, moved southeast at a speed of 11 knots away from the group and will no longer affect Tonga. There was no cyclone damage reported in Vava'u. The Neiafu town officer, Mr. Vava Lapota said the wind was normal throughout the weekend.

Tropical Disturbance "TD04F" located near Fiji at 1:00pm today is expected to track through northern Tongan waters on Friday. “The potential for this system to develop into a Tropical Cyclone in the next 24 hours to 48 hours is low to moderate,” Tonga Meteorological Services advised today.