Climate Change Resilience
Mr. Ueretan Bauro, Editor Te Uekera, Kiribati
22 July, 2015, Nuku’alofa, Tonga, PMC-3 - Tonga is not adequately resourced to respond to a tsunami, if one is generated by a strong earthquake today.
Tonga’s Director of Meteorology, Ofa Fa’anunu told the plenary at the Third Pacific Meteorological Council currently in session in Tonga that, “if an earthquake happens now in the Tongan Trench, it would take 15 to 20 minutes to arrive”.
Tonga’s Director of Meteorology, Ofa Fa’anunu told the plenary at the Third Pacific Meteorological Council currently in session in Tonga that, “if an earthquake happens now in the Tongan Trench, it would take 15 to 20 minutes to arrive”.
Tonga Met Director and Chair of the Third Pacific Meteorological Council, Mr Ofa Fa’anunu being interviewed by Tonga Broadcasting Corporation
Mr Fa’anunu made the comment in response to Samoa’s presentation on hazard and disaster early warning systems which include the Tsunami Warning System.
Mr Fa’anunu said Tonga relies on sms messaging to warn people of the incoming tsunami and advice on what to do.
“However this system does not reach everyone in Tonga, and probably those only with operational mobile-phones can access the warning, so this is not enough.
“And the only AM Radio in Tonga that has a full coverage of the country operates from 6am and closes at midnight.
“The other thing and I would like to say is that there is a ‘BIG GAP’ on people react to our warnings of a tsunami . Either they would act quickly and move to safety or just regard it as another warning. That is our main worry,” said Fa’anunu.
These gaps, he said should not prevent his office from executing it’s noble responsibility of carrying out outreach programs to the entire population.
“We have conducted community outreach programs conveying guidelines to the people on the best practices to take when a tsunami warning is issued. If you walk in the streets you will see posts with tsunami notices on them,” said Fa’anunu.
The Tongan Met Office is working on finding practical solutions to effectively warn the entire population of an expected tsunami. - #PacMC2015
Mr. Ueretan Bauro is the Editor of Te Uekera Newspaper, Kiribati Broadcasting and Publication Authority
This article was developed by a Pacific Media Team of Reporters currently providing coverage on the Third Pacific Meteorological Council in Tonga. This activity coordinated by SPREP is supported by a partnership including the Government of Tonga, SPREP, Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS).