TONGA – Disaster assessment teams in Tonga say water, shelter and food are the immediate needs for people still reeling from the destruction brought by Tropical Cyclone Gita.

Gita hit Tonga around 8pm on Monday night and peaked between 11pm and 2am, slamming on to the south coast of the main island of Tongatapu, bringing down electricity lines, smashing churches and levelling fruit trees and crops vital to the island’s livelihood.

Local and international NGOs are working with the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) to try and gauge the extent of the damage on the main island of Tongatapu and the nearby island of ‘Eua.

On Tongatapu, the category four cyclone brought winds of over 233kph– flattening many buildings including the nation’s parliament.

Tonga police spokesperson Sia Adams said a 72-year-old man from Fuaamotu was rushed to the hospital last night, but died of a heart attack before arrival. She said the Director of Health said the cyclone could have contributed to his death.

Adams also said police could confirm three major injuries and 30 minor injuries on Tongatapu as a result of Gita, and that police are still awaiting a report from ‘Eua.

Tonga’s Red Cross said the level of damage to crops, homes, vegetation and infrastructure was “extremely high” following the cyclone.

Spokesperson Polikalepo Kefu said three teams from the Red Cross had been assessing different areas of Tonga and information was still being collated.

Many people were shocked and traumatised by the scale of the storm, he said.

“The scene in Nuku‘alofa is very devastated. You can see fallen trees and even fallen houses, and they are still in a mess.”

Kefu said it was vital for people to begin repairs and try to clear up excess water to avoid an escalation of the dengue fever outbreak with the potential for mosquitos to breed in pooling rain water.

About 3000 people are at evacuation centres but Red Cross was expecting double that number overnight.

Almost all the crops on the island of ‘Eua had been destroyed due the cyclone, according to reports.

The category four storm went almost directly over ‘Eua which lies just south east of the main island of Tongatapu.

Former ‘Eua MP, Sunia Fili, said the storm had dealt a huge blow to the local agricultural sector.

“The kava, the cassava and yam too, all the crops near town. Also the breadfruit around in town and the town hall was down and also many small houses. Only the new houses are good but many families are in a very bad situation.”

Fili said he had never experienced a storm of such intensity.

“I look at my neighbours, most of their houses are down, taking the walls or the upper parts of the house, and I am sure those people they are very sad at this time. They are looking forward for any aid from donors to help them but I can see they are still trying to get something to get in [to shelter].”

According to Sunia Fili, power is out across the entire island.

Local youth worker Vanessa Helot said people in the communities she had visited were absolutely devastated by the damage and destruction to their homes.

“We are seeing shops that the rooftops have been uprootedv–all their goods are exposed. We are seeing floods and also a lot of branches and a lot of electric lines down. We have talked to some women this morning – their priorities are water, blankets and food.”

She said the cyclone would have a huge impact on people’s lives in Tonga.

“It is a big issue because this is their livelihood and it is like we have to start all over again. There is no electricity, there is no water. Not everyone has water tanks or]has fresh water.”

Nuku’alofa resident Joshua Saveeti described the scene as people in his neighbourhood emerged from their shelters, after what he said was a terrifying night.

“ A neighbour just a few houses down, the roof went off, the walls are gone, and all that is left standing there is just all of their furniture and their things.”

The family had evacuated earlier in the day, he said.

“They just got home this morning. We were all walking in and then they saw their house and then, yeah, they just lost it.”

All airports in Tonga are currently closed due to damage and disruption following Tropical Cyclone Gita.

The owner of Real Tonga Airways said there was no power at Fua’amotu International Airport on Tongatapu, where the airport buildings have sustained some damage and there is significant flooding.

Tevita Palu said he hoped the airport may reopen later tomorrow but there is major damage all around Tongatapu with trees down, roofs missing and a lot of debris.

New Zealand’s Safe Travel website said international flights to Tonga and Fiji were likely to be disrupted and travellers are advised to check details with their airline and register with the Safe Travel website.

Tonga’s emergency services said they were struggling to get out and assess the damage after Gita left a trail of destruction.

Roads all over Tongatapu are blocked by debris and downed power lines hampering relief efforts.

NEMO spokesman Graham Kenna said the capital Nuku’alofa had been severely damaged.

“I’ve been involved in disaster responses for 30-plus years and it’s the worst situation I have been in.”

There had been major destruction, Kenna said.

“A lot of the landmark buildings are extremely badly damaged or even destroyed, the landmark tree near the palace, has been been destroyed.

Kenna said it was very difficult to get around Nuku’alofa.

Mary Fonua, the managing editor of the online news website Matangi Tonga, remained awake in her family homeat the height of the storm, pacing the house and watching the windows blow out and the solar panels ripped from the roof.

“The wind was terrifying, it was tearing overhead and we could hear roofs being lifted. ,” Fonua told Radio New Zealand.

- PNC sources