Results for Natural events

Construction is well underway for people whose homes were impacted by the 15 January volcanic eruption and tsunami disaster. The Government of Tonga is constructing new homes at Popua, Sopu, Masilamea, Matatoa in Tongatapu and Ta’anga in ‘Eua.  

A gale warning remains in force for all of Tonga's land and coastal areas. Strong and gale force winds are expected to continue affecting Tonga for the rest of this week, while cool strong, east to southeasterly winds prevail all over the group, the Fua'amotu Weather Centre advised this afternoon.

Fifteen new computing tablets from the Pacific Community will be used by a Pacific Catastrophe Risk Assessment and Financing Initiative team, when they start surveys this week on Tongatapu, before moving on to the outer islands of Vava’u, Ha’apai and ‘Eua.

Additional financing from the World Bank will strengthen Tonga’s resilience to future disasters and climate-related emergencies. The board has approved US$19.5 million (approximately TOP46 million) in additional funding for disaster recovery and resilience projects in Tonga. Since 2018, multiple disasters including Gita, Harold and Hunga, have caused an estimated US$457 million in damages and loss for Tonga.

Vakaloa Beach Resort, received a $1.67 million insurance claim from National Pacific Insurance after the resort was wiped out on January 15. To date, NPI has paid out NZ$7.6 million worth of claims in relation to the Hunga Tonga- Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami.

King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u are leading a ‘Paletu’a Project’ to build a new neighbourhood near Matatoa for the resettlement of hundreds of Kanokupolu people whose homes were destroyed by the Hunga tsunamis in January. Newly released plans estimate the development will about $24 million pa'anga, to be raised from various sources, including donor funding. While Mango islanders' will be resettled to Ta'anga in 'Eua.

Donations raised from a benefit concert in the United States were handed out to two local organizations on 17 May, to assist in the aftermath of the volcanic eruption and tsunamis that impacted Tonga on 15 January this year. A. further donation will be given to a local primary school.

Distribution this week of truckloads of food supplies donated by 'Help Tonga Switzerland' has reached over 300 vulnerable and affected families on Tongatapu in the aftermath of the volcanic eruption and tsunamis.

Extremely high rainfall in Fua’amotu in Tongatapu during March has smashed the all time Tonga Met records for the month. The rainfall of 594mm was more than three times the average for March.