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.

Volcanic Ashes Fall on Kiribati

 

Volcanic Ashes Fall on Kiribati

10:21 AM on 26th March 2022

Aelvin Kanthony, RNZ Pacific regional correspondent 

Aelvin.Kanthony@rnz.co.nz

Following the tsunamis reaching the Gilbert Islands Chain of Kiribati, further development of the situation has occurred where ashes from the volcano have reached the outskirts of Kiribati and soon to reach everywhere else in the nation.

These ashes carry with it high levels of sulphur which are toxic at such concentrations. This is particularly impactful as it contaminates both drinking water and fishing areas, resources that are crucial to the region’s people, especially those in the less developed areas of the nation. These polluted drinking and food sources may increase the risks of diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. 

Further, fine ashes from the volcano may be inhaled by people, which would cause numerous respiratory issues including asthma and other related long-term cardiovascular illnesses. Volcanic ashes on the water may also raise sea temperature in the short term, causing even greater harm to food sources.

Experts have said that fishing vessels should halt fishing efforts in the next week to avoid acquiring contaminated fish. Further, as planes are unable to fly safely in such an environment, ships should be used for any and all transportation. People should also remain indoors to lower the chances of breathing in the noxious air. 

This is following warnings brought up by Member of Parliament Pinto Katia from Makin who had brought focus on the issue of contamination via volcanic ash to the Parliament of Kiribati. However, no action was taken at that point. 

As of right now, this is an issue that is hotly debated in Parliament. Member of Parliament Tekeeua Tarati of Tamani has stated that “they should take important documents, as well as any freshwater or food, at least for one week. It is hard to determine when aid can actually drive. The people of the islands need to be self-sufficient until then, that’s the realistic situation on the ground.” 

While the member of parliament from Makin, Pinto Katia, has sought help from the international community, saying, “condolences to those who are affected by the tsunami. Proposes to form a crisis committee to cooperate with international NGOs to help in evacuation and humanitarian aid efforts to those affected.” 

Tsunami hits Islands in Kiribati

 

Tsunami hits Islands in Kiribati

14:04 PM on 25 March 2022

Aelvin Kanthony, RNZ Pacific regional correspondent 

Aelvin.Kanthony@rnz.co.nz

As of this reporting at around 2 PM, the tsunamis resulting from the eruption of Tinakula have reached the Gilbert Islands from the south, arriving at the islands of Arorae and Tamana first. These tsunamis are especially harmful to the lower-lying islands which are more vulnerable to ocean and weather events. This is following the devastation in Banaba where it first reached the nation of Kiribati. 

Worthy of note, however, is the rapid responses in Marakei by Minister Tekaiara and in North Tarawa by Minister Mwemwenikeaki. Both have quickly evacuated their citizens despite the lack of existing infrastructure while the latter’s tactic of building walls with sandbags has proved useful in preventing further wreckage.

Further, following guidance from the Kiribati Meteorology Service, Minister Katia from Makin has advised the constituency of South Tarawa to avoid fishing activities in the ocean, arguing the necessity to, “Advise the South Tarawa constituency to cooperate with the Kiribati Meteorology Service, and to avoid fishing activities in the ocean to avoid being contaminated by sulphuric volcanic ash.” As of now, both local and foreign fisher vessels have steered clear of the region though official government response from the central government of Kiribati has yet to be decided.

Finally, due to the concerning and escalating nature of this event, the governments of Australia and New Zealand have expressed deep sympathy for the people of Kiribati and are prepared to lend support in the forms of relief packages and funds. However, this can only be done if it is formally requested by the Parliament of Kiribati as per usual to international order.

Tsunami reaches Banaba

 

| 25th March 2022 | Gilbert Koraubati | Tarawa | .

Tsunamis Reach the Shores of Banaba

As of this reporting at 8:30 AM, the tsunamis resulting from the eruption of Tinakula 2 hours ago have officially reached the shores of our nation. The tsunami’s first victim has been the island of Banaba, a region of our nation that has, unfortunately, experienced a long history of natural disasters and ravaging of its natural resources. This has been further worsened in recent times by the long-term neglect of its plights by our government.

In addition to the sustained damages to the homes and other buildings, The tsunami has destroyed 1 of the remaining 3 water-cleaning facilities that the approximately 330 inhabitants have been holding on to for basic sustenance. It has also destroyed many fishing boats and equipment, further stressing the limited food sources the island has access to. This is, of course, just an immediate advancement of the underlying problems the island has been facing for decades.

Unfortunately, the urgency of this matter doesn’t seem to be shared by certain members of the Parliament. In this morning’s Parliamentary meeting, broadcasted on radio Kiribati, the Delegate of Tamana Tekeeua Tarati said, “There’s a bigger crisis at hand, which is the rising sea levels and is the main purpose of our meeting today.” Though rising sea levels are a grave issue for our nation, this statement is but a blatant disregard for the starvation and loss of livelihoods for the hundreds of citizens currently experiencing the first of the tsunamis in Banaba. It is, to say the very least, out of touch and aloof and an affront to the Banabans facing this crisis. 

An emergency session of the Parliament has been called and the 7th sitting of the 12 Manaeaba Ni Maungatabu has been pushed forward for the MPs to debate this important issue.

Tinakula Eruption and Tsunami

 

BREAKING NEWS —- Tinakula Eruption and Tsunami

Early this morning at around 1 AM, Volcano Tinakula, located in the Solomon Islands, had its first eruption since 2017. Though it is a known active volcano, little reconnaissance and checkup have been done, leading to an eruption that surprised both the local population and the greater Pacific region. 

Its eruption has caused a grade 5 earthquake (according to the Richter Scale) and the underwater seismic tremors will lead to level VI tsunamis spreading all the way to islands of our country within the next 6 hours. Though they are relatively small-scale tsunamis, reaching only around 2 metres above sea level, there is a chance that they will cause great damages to Kiribati, especially to crucial infrastructure like water-cleaning facilities. This is especially concerning for the Gilbert Islands and Banabas, regions that were already facing the brunt of the harm brought by rising sea levels.

The volcanic ashes have also made any and all aviation in the region impossible, further slowing down relief efforts and transport. Furthermore, sulfur spread by the eruption in the next 2 days will also affect local fishing sources, causing mass deaths of marine life and damages to the marine ecosystem that may harm both the livelihoods of local fishermen and foreign fisheries. At the present moment, we are not sure if the effects of the sulfur will be long-term or only short-term. 

This is an impactful emergency and we will wait for responses from our government. 

Satellite Image of the Eruption

Dated this 25th of March, 2020 --- 06:00

ALANI IOANE

Published by Kiribati Meteorological Service

DR. BETERO

Lead Researcher