Yes 

Severe droughts have occurred in 2016 due to the El Nino weather phenomenon. 

Yes 

Severe earthquakes hit Tonga in 2009 (8.1 magnitude), 2013 (7.4 magnitude) and 2014 (7.1 magnitude) with some damage to the infrastructure and communities. 

Yes 

COVID-19 

At the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, most PICTs implemented rapid border closures and throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PICTs remained relatively free from the direct impacts of the virus. The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached Tonga on 29 October 2021 with a traveller who tested positive in quarantine. Several more cases were found in January and February 2022 in a minor outbreak during the aftermath of the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai eruption and tsunami as other countries delivered aid.  

Measles Outbreak: The measles outbreak in Tonga began in October 2019. By 5 January 2020, there were 612 confirmed cases of measles. 

Tonga is at risk from emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases, like TB, SARS, Zika and avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) 

Sometimes 

Recently Tonga experienced heat stress due to increased surface temperature. 

Yes 

No specific flooding, though low-lying areas are subject to severe ponding of water when large rainfall occurs generally during wet season which affects the population, agriculture and transport sectors and poses health risks 

Yes 

As for all Pacific Islands countries, pests and diseases pose a huge danger to Tonga’s environment 

No 

N/A 

Yes 

The eruption of the undersea Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) volcano on 15th January 2022 at around 5.15pm generated a powerful tsunami with the wave reportedly up to 10m high. A tsunami wave of 1.2-2 m high hit the capital Nuku’alofa on Tongatapu Island, situated about 65 km south of the volcano. The ‘Eua and Ha’apai Island groups were also badly hit by the tsunami. The tsunami waves and flood water completely swept away houses and infrastructure in many small outer islands, especially Mango and Fonoi in Ha’apai and ‘Atataa in Tongatapu. Mass evacuations took place across Tonga, especially in the coastal areas in Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Ha’apai. Island groups of Vava’u and the two Niuas - Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou - were not directly affected but indirect effects such as shortage of fuel and consumer goods due to transportation and communication breakdown have been witnessed. 

There is an active volcano on the island of Niuafo’ou. The last major eruption was in 1946, when the island was completely evacuated.  

Yes 

Many low-lying areas have a high exposure to inundation. The most severe inundation occurred during Cyclone Isaac in 1982 where a storm surge of about 1.6m acted on top of a high spring tide. Tsunami risk in Tonga is rated as “extreme”.  Tonga lies about 200km west of the Tonga Trench fault zone, where the Pacific Plate sub ducts beneath the Australian Plate.  

Sea level rise has also increased by 0.007 m per year since 1993. 

Yes 

Significant fire events in countryside are related to droughts / dry season. 

Yes 

Severe Tropical Cyclone Gita was the most intense tropical cyclone to impact Tonga since reliable records began. The second named storm and first major tropical cyclone of the 2017–18 South Pacific cyclone season, Gita originated from a monsoon trough that was active in the South Pacific in early February 2018. 

There is an increasing trend in the occurrences of tropical cyclones in Tonga on a decadal basis. In January 2014, Tropical Cyclone Ian tracked between Fiji and Tonga for several days before intensifying to a Category 5 system with winds over 200 kilometres per hour. 

Yes 

The Nuku’alofa riots started on 16 November 2006, in the Tongan capital to protest the slow progress democratization in the country. A mixed crowd of democracy advocates took to the streets in protest. Some people in the crowd starting tipping over cars then progressed to looting and burning buildings. The state of emergency was maintained until August 2008 due to continued state of danger in central Nuku’alofa. 

No 

Yes 

The HTHH volcanic eruption and the consequent tsunami waves which hit Tonga in the evening of 15 January 2022 resulted in the displacement of about 2,390 people and 465 households. About 54.41% of affected households live in Tongatapu, 30.54% in Ha’apai Islands, and 15.05% in ‘Eua. 

No 

No 

Nov – April 

Paved and sealed road are generally OK to go through during the wet season. Nevertheless, rain on the main roads could make driving a hazard. During the wet season, floods, flash floods and landslides may happen, resulting in roads or crossroads closures, particularly in coastal areas and low-lying areas of the hilly islands. 

Nov – April 

The secondary roads network is often not in a perfect condition and may be quickly affected by rainfall, making it impracticable overnight. During the wet season, floods, flash floods and landslides may happen, resulting in roads or crossroads closures, particularly in coastal areas and low-lying areas of the hilly islands. 

Nov – April 

No rail transport available 

Nov – April 

Generally reliable all over the year. Heavy rain falls / cyclones may impact the air transport operations, resulting in delays, flights cancellations and temporary airports/airstrips closures. The secondary airstrips may be impracticable during the wet seasons. 

Nov – April 

Inter-island waterways transport may be affected during the wet / cyclonic seasons due to effects of high winds and rough seas. 

Nov - April 

During the wet / cyclonic seasons, days of torrential rain may flood roads, cut power and water supplies, limit access to transport and storage infrastructures, impacting handling / packaging operations and making access of manpower problematic. 

Nov – April 

As above.