Disaster risk

A tsunami is the highest risk because of their closeness to the Tonga trench, says the Director of Tonga Meteorological Service, ‘Ofa Fa’anunu.

“That’s where our local tsunami generates comes from and it takes only between 15-20 minutes for waves to travel from the Tonga trench to our island,” he says.

A project to install 90 tsunami sirens has come to a halt since the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

Fa’anunu says they were hoping to finish the project last December however they are looking at it this year because swift action is very much needed.

The meeting discussed actions the private sector needs to take in the Pacific region to challenge climate change, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) and other relevant issues. 

The preparatory meeting is held annually ahead of the annual Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting, where Pacific Island leaders consider the recommendations from the preparatory meeting. This year, the Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting will be held in Nauru on September 4.