‘India felt shockwaves', says IMD: Why Tonga's volcanic eruption was a big event

An underwater volcano in Tonga has erupted for the third time in four days, potentially jeopardising surveillance flights' capacity to assess the damage caused by the huge explosion and tsunami that struck the Pacific island nation on January 15. According to geologists, Saturday's explosion was possibly the largest anywhere on the earth in more than 30 years. A gigantic cloud of ash, gas, and steam blasted up to 20 kilometres into the skies — and tsunami waves slammed into the Pacific. Dramatic satellite images captured the eruption in real time. According to experts, it was one of the most powerful explosions of the 21st century. The tremendous shockwaves caused by the eruption of Hunga-Tonga-Hungapai in Tonga were also felt across India, according to the India Meteorological Department. Tonga, in the South Pacific, is still cut off from the rest of the world. Tonga has a population of roughly 105,000 people and is made up of 169 islands, 36 of which are inhabited. There have been no reports of deaths or injuries so far, but with communication lines down, a comprehensive evaluation is not yet possible. Watch to know why the eruption was no small event.