Tsunami warning system is geared towards earthquakes and not volcanic eruptions - Usamate

It has been confirmed by the Minister for Mineral Resources Jone Usamate that the tsunami advisory for Fiji following the volcanic eruption in Tonga last month was issued late because the whole tsunami warning system is geared towards earthquakes and not volcanic eruptions.

The tsunami advisory for Fiji following the Tongan volcanic eruption was issued at 6.35pm on Saturday 15th January 2022 and it was cancelled at 9am on Sunday – 16th January 2022.

Usamate has told parliament that since then, there has been a lot of work that has been undertaken by the Mineral Resources Department, local agencies and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

He says they are developing standard operating procedures for situations like that.

By 6pm on Saturday 15th January 2022, fijivillage was already receiving calls, messages and videos from coastal areas about increased wave activity and sea flooding.

People were confused if they should move to higher ground or not as there was no timely advisory issued by the Mineral Resources Department or the National Disaster Management Office.

When asked on 19th January 2022 why the tsunami sirens were not activated following the eruption, Minister for Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu told Legend FM News that there was no information about any waves from Lami to Nadawa where the sirens for the Suva peninsula are located.