Flights sent to assess Tonga damage after volcanic eruption

Large waves crash ashore at Wrights Beach, north of Bodega Bay, California, following a massive undersea volcanic explosion of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano in Tonga. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat via AP)

New Zealand and Australia have been able to send military surveillance flights to Tonga to assess the damage a huge undersea volcanic eruption left in the Pacific island nation.

A towering ash cloud since Saturday’s eruption had prevented flights from leaving earlier than Monday. New Zealand hopes to send essential supplies, including much-needed drinking water, on a military transport plane on Tuesday.