Food the issue in Tonga’s islands

NUKU‘ALOFA – The director of Tonga’s emergency management office says food security is a major concern after cyclone Winston passed through the country twice this week.

The cyclone passed Vava’u earlier this week as a category two storm that damaged crops and caused some power outages, but has since made an about-turn and passed the group on Thursday night as a category four.

However, Leveni ‘Aho, the NEMO director, said Winston passed a fair distance to the north of Vava’u and the impact on the island group was not as great as feared.

Some 2,500 people had sought shelter in evacuation centres on Thursday night, but ‘Aho said only about 10 houses had been destroyed, with 200 others damaged.

However, ‘Aho said there were concerns about crops that had been damaged.

“Most of the damage will be in the agricultural sector, so that will be the area that we will be looking at. Food security might be affected in the next month or so,” he said.

Leveni ‘Aho said crews had been out clearing roads of fallen trees and power lines.

A heavy damaging swell warning remain in force for all Tongan coastal waters.

Niue’s police chief says they are relieved that the island appears to have escaped unscathed from Cyclone Winston.

The storm had impacted on the island over the past two days but cyclone alerts were lifted on Thursday.

Tony Edwards said full assessments are being done but damage appears minor.

“Luckily this time round we have had it pass by so we are just happy that we prepared ourselves for it but [we were] unscathed.

“So it has unfortunately returned back on its original track so we are just hoping that everything goes well with Tonga and Fiji.”

- RNZI/PNC