Information sought anxiously following Tonga's tsunami, as the region is left communication-deprived
Communication Remains Limited in Tonga After Volcanic Eruption
The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano on Saturday, about 65km north of Nuku'alofa, Tonga, has left the small Pacific nation struggling with limited web and telephone communications. Far-flung coastal locations remain cut off, and the Red Cross estimates that up to 80,000 people may have been affected by the tsunami.
International communication with Tonga was disrupted for over a month following the eruption due to the destruction of undersea cables by the volcanic explosion. Scientific expeditions have been launched to study the volcano's impact, including the damage to undersea cables that affected thousands in Tonga for months. Efforts to improve regional resilience and install backup undersea communication infrastructure are underway to reduce future disruptions from volcanic events.
The eruption created waves higher than a meter that crashed into Tonga, causing substantial damage along the western coastline of Tongatapu, Tonga's major island. The Ha'atafu Beach Hotel on Tongatapu was "totally erased" and "the entire western coast totally damaged". Residents of the hotel were able to escape, but "unable to conserve anything".
Tongans living overseas have not been able to speak with family and friends for two days. Friends and family of British lady Angela Glover claim she is missing, with posts on social media suggesting she was swept away by the waves. The dust from the volcano may contaminate water sources, with locals recommending drinking bottled water and using masks.
Concerns have also been raised over relief efforts causing a spread of Covid-19 in Tonga, which only recorded its first case in October. Tonga's deputy head of mission in Australia stated, "We don't wish to generate one more wave - a tsunami of Covid-19."
New Zealand and Australia have sent out surveillance flights to gather more information about the situation in Tonga. It is predicted that it will take "at least two weeks" before global phones and internet are working again. Satellite phones, used by many relief organizations, have poor service due to the effects of the ash cloud.
Tonga, composed of 170 islands spread over approximately 700,000 square kilometers, is still assessing the full extent of the damage caused by the eruption and tsunami.
In the midst of the ongoing challenges, politics and general news regarding Tonga's recovery after the volcanic eruption have been intertwined with crime-and-justice issues, as reports surface about increasing concern for missing people like British lady Angela Glover. Meanwhile, accidents such as contaminated water sources due to dust from the volcano and poor satellite phone connections have posed ongoing challenges, making communication a critical aspect in the relief and recovery efforts.
