麻豆约拍

It鈥檚 five days after the South Pacific state of Tonga was hit by the volcanic eruption and tsunami which has turned life upside down. The damage has been devastating after high waves crashed into coastal areas sweeping whole villages away and volcanic ash now blankets the island chain.

Until now the Pacific nation - made up of over 170 islands - has been largely cut off because connections were down, but now they're being slowly restored, so some are able to talk directly with the outside world as phone lines get back up.

The first flight carrying aid has just arrived from New Zealand, after the runway was cleared of ash. Marian Kupu, a local journalist in the capital Nukua-lofa is the first person in Tonga Newsday has managed to get through to since the volcanic eruption.

鈥淵outh from around the villages have cleared the runways for the aid to come in. It was difficult because the ash is so thick. We were concerned for the health of the volunteers (who) were manually sweeping the ash 鈥� it鈥檚 a lot of work, it鈥檚 taking a lot of effort clearing the runways. Dust is everywhere 鈥� it鈥檚 just grey.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檙e praying for water, for heavy rain. But according to weather forecasts we won鈥檛 have any for five or six days. In the meantime we do not have enough water.鈥�

(Pic: A Royal Australian Air Force aircraft delivers the first load of emergency aid at Tonga鈥檚 Fua鈥橝motu international airport January 20, 2022 ; Credit: Reuters)

Show less