The explosion of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano, which has killed at least three people and sent tsunami waves across the Pacific, knocked out communications of about 105 000 people on Saturday.
Speaking to Reuters from Nuku’alofa, local journalist Marian Kupu said Tongans were in the process of cleaning up all the dust but feared they may run out of drinking water. “What we are concerned now is clean drinking water because our drinking tank water has been affected by the dust from the aftermath of the volcanic ash,” Kupu said.
The United Nations said that about 84 000 people – that is more than 80% of the population – has been badly affected by the disaster. New Zealand said Tonga, one of the few countries to be free of the new coronavirus, had agreed to receive two of its ships carrying aid and supply, despite concerns about importing a COVID-19 outbreak that would make matters worse.The ships, which was carrying 250 000 litres of water along with other supplies, will arrive on Friday.