EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
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IAN destroys 75 percent of houses in Pangai, capital of the Haʻapai Group, Tonga
The category 5 tropical cyclone killed at least one person, injuring many leaving thousands of people homeless, as it swept through the Tongan Islands with sustained winds of more than 200 km/h over the weekend.
“The worst affected area was the northern part of the Ha’apai group of islands, with damage to buildings and services such as water, telecommunications and power, said a report.
IAN carves a wide path of destruction on Foa island in Tonga’s Ha’apai group. Image credit: @ProudTongans.
“It was so strong, all the houses gone and it actually lifted cars, lifted cars and moved buses,” said an eye-witness.
On Saturday, IAN slammed into the northern Tongan islands with sustained winds of 300 km/h destroying or damaging 70% of homes, according to emergency officials.
There are reports of extensive damage also to most of the smaller islands, said officials.
Related Links
- IAN Causes Widespread Destruction on Tonga Islands January 12, 2014
- Super Cyclone IAN Targeting Ha’apai islands, Tonga January 11, 2014
- IAN Threatens Tonga with Cat 4 Hurricane Winds Posted by feww on January 10, 2014