Aftermaths of Tsunamis

 

Aftermath of the Kiribati Tsunamis

16:32 PM on 27th March 2022

Aelvin Kanthony, RNZ Pacific regional correspondent 

Aelvin.Kanthony@rnz.co.nz

After the shocking series of tsunamis that have hit several Kiribati islands, we can assess the current situation. 

Fortunately, due to the height of the waves, there has not been a devastating amount of damage. While there has been low-level flooding, it is predicted that the waters will recede eventually.

However, the situation is looking troubling for those living in the areas affected, particularly those in the South Gilbert Islands and Banaba which were hit first. We traveled to one of these islands to assess the situation on the ground and we were shocked. As we reached Arorae and Tamana, the foul smell of dead fish and wet ash greeted us. When we arrived in Arorae, the women were already in tears. The look in their eyes as they saw us coming in the boat was heartbreaking. They didn’t think that help was coming, since communications were down. Stories of what they experienced filled the beach – some were crying, some couldn’t complete their stories as they were too emotional to continue.

“It was a Saturday like any other. But after the blast, the tide went out and came back in again and again. Each time the tide went out, the beach was left drier and drier, and the sea level rose higher. That’s when I yelled ‘Run away fronm the beach!’ ” said Pauline Tamana, a resident on Aroarae.

It is clear that it will be difficult for life to go back to normal for these people, as their livelihoods have been affected by the damage that has been wrought on the agricultural sector by flooding fields and plantation, ruining their harvests. Chances are most farmers will require support from the government or else face poverty and starvation in the coming months. Additionally, as we have personally experienced, there is a lack of available transport, so there have been frightening food and water shortages, given that the majority of food in Kiribati is imported, with current supplies looking to last only around five days.  

The airways will remain closed for at least another week, subject to weather changes. Further, seawater has made it such that the groundwater is salty. This will recover in a month after rainfall but for now, people need bottled water. The people living in the affected areas are unsure when new supplies and aid will arrive and are looking towards their local councils for support and updates.

Despite the tragedy at the personal level, however, as the tsunamis were quite small-scale, the damages incurred on a national scale were not too severe. Local councils and local manaebas are working together with their communities to clean up the affected areas, to repair damaged homes and roads, but more needs to be done to recover from this unexpected disaster.

However, what it has shown is the lack of proper government protocols and efforts in preventing these disasters; a worrying sign considering Kiribati’s status as a victim of climate change and rising sea levels.