Cyclone Ian aftermath

Cyclone damage in Tonga

A New Zealand Civil Defence official in Tonga says most homes in the villages worst-hit by Cyclone Ian have been destroyed.

Pangai, the administrative capital of Ha'apai on the island of Lefuka.

Photo: NZDF

Radio NZ,

13 January, 2014

One person was killed in the Ha'apai islands when the cyclone arrived with winds exceeding 280km per hour on Saturday.

Communication is difficult because phone lines are down, so officials in Tonga on Sunday flew in an RNZAF Orion to assess the damage.

Up to 5000 people are reported to be are without power, water or shelter.

The ABC reports a chartered flight flew health, power, telecommunication and Red Cross personnel to Ha'apai on Sunday afternoon.

Ha'apai governor Tu'i Ha'angana says the damage is so bad, he can see from one side of the island to the other.

Officials hope the first flight carrying relief supplies will reach the hardest-hit islands on Monday morning.

The ABC says two Tongan navy patrol boats have gone to the northern and southern Ha'apai islands to survey immediate damage, with one boat delivering emergency shelter supplies and road clearing equipment.

Director of emergencies Leveni Aho told the ABC there is no communication with 80% of the Ha'apai island group, including Lifuka which bore the brunt of the storm.

"I think 70% of the housing of the two islands that we have access to now have been affected - destroyed or partially damaged,'' he said.