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Tropical Cyclone Ron - Jan 1998

Estado
Pasado
Países
Tonga
Tipos de desastres
Ciclón tropical

On Wednesday morning, 7 January 1998, Tropical Cyclone Ron struck Tonga. Affected were the northern islands of Niuafoou, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi -collectively known as the Niuas. In consequence, a survey team was sent to the Niuas to assess the damage and the impact of the cyclone on the inhabitants. According to the report provided by the survey team, severe damage to residential houses has left 99 families (74 in Niuafoou, 18 in Niuatoputapu and 7 in Tafahi) in urgent need of temporary housing and some 43 families in need of tarpaulins to repair partial damages. Destruction of sanitation systems has significantly increased the danger of an outbreak of infectious diseases. Approximately 20 to 30 per-cent of the water tanks and 95 per-cent of the catchment covers have been damaged. Extensive damage was caused to agriculture and vegetation of Niuafoou, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi by destructive wind. Fruit trees and breadfruit trees, which were at harvesting stage, were all destroyed. All of the cassava and banana family trees and some of the young root crops, such as yarn, taro, kumara and kape were seriously damaged. There is urgent need for food aid as the present food supplies will only be sufficient for 2 to 3 weeks. Replanting programmes would take up to 6-8 months. (UN DHA, 27 Jan 1998)