Tsunami warning issued for Tonga region but few seem to be taking it seriously
**UPDATE: The tsunami warning was canceled several hours after this item was posted.
The photos accompanying this item are of an underwater volcanic eruption Wednesday near the Tongan island of Tongatapu in the South Pacific.
The steam and ash carried high into the air. On Thursday (Friday in Tonga), a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck in the region, prompting officials to issue a tsunami warning for Tonga and neighboring islands.
There were no reports of damage from the earthquake and, according to an Associated Press story, few were taking the tsunami warning seriously.
"People are out on the roads, laughing at the warning," police spokesman Niua Kama said. "They are not moving from the coast."
Hopefully, Mother Nature won't be enjoying the last laugh.
The Hawaii-based Tsunami Warning Center cautioned that some coastal areas in Hawaii also could experience a rise in sea level and unusual currents that could last several hours.
-- Pete Thomas
Photos: Matangi Tonga Online via Associated Press
to all the samoans that got hit from the tsunami we pray that you guys are all safe now.to all the tongans who sunk in the fairy we all pray you guys are safe now. in times like these who can we all rely on but god. ofa lahi atu kia samoa, tonga mo fiji, lotu kie eiki mo falala ki ai. rest in peace to all yah.one love.
Posted by: tevita vimahi | October 01, 2009 at 12:31 PM
It the earthquake was a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck in the region, does it has big waves; how big of the waves near the islands. How can predict the date of the explosion?
Posted by: Somyod T. | March 30, 2009 at 03:17 PM
i was in tonga on this very day, the police officer saying people weren't movingoff the coast is rite and the reason being where are they going to move to if a tsunami is comming the whole of tonga is going to be gone being a flat island. but tonga is a island of religious people nd i know god is looking after this little island... god bless tonga.
Posted by: tongan girl | March 24, 2009 at 02:48 PM
take care my brothers and sisters..i'll keep you all in my prayers! jesus loves you all!!
Posted by: Pua vi | March 20, 2009 at 12:34 PM
i congratulate the natural hazard prediction board for their great effort nd work.I believe that its mother nature afterall,and things can change within seconds.We should all be thankful to the board for informing us about the hazard.What if it would have stuck into our country?At that point of time,nobody would have been saying anything.We should all pray and thank the almighty lord for saving our lives..
Posted by: javed | March 19, 2009 at 06:59 PM
wow... the pic is great.. keep them in prayer...
Posted by: vivian | March 19, 2009 at 05:20 PM
The Earthquake generated a ripple in terms of an tsunami and this was felt in the Niue Islands. In Fiji the officials posted a tsunami warning and sought evacuation of all coastal areas as a precaution. This was about 7.00am. At 7.55am the people were tld that the tsunami would hit Fiji at a little after 8.00am and that all were to seek higher ground. This gave the people specially the school children about 5 minutes to find safety.
The City was chaos. The bus stand was full of children and adults who had also ben told to go home. There was no directions - just a chaotic mass of people all making their way to the bus stand or at the stand itself.
Imagine the scenario if the tsunami had struck at the predicted hour - thousands would have been dead.
The authorities need to conduct an inquiry - firstly how reliable is the information from the Pacific Tsunami Centre. then they need to ascertain whether the officers who are responsible for the issuing of these warning for Fiji are capable and fit to do so.
Just telling the people to seek safety is not good enough. There has to be a coordinated approach and it is time for drastic action.
Sher Bahadur
Posted by: Sher Bahadur | March 19, 2009 at 03:30 PM