Project News

The moon is full today and it makes the tide highest this month.

We have very strong wind from north west from November to March, which attacks Fongafale. So calm ocean inside of the lagoon changes to be wild like open sea with big waves. This strong wind carries the waves from the high sea level to the ground.

The roads are covered with pieces of corals and shells and water so that I can't drive my motorcycle.

Even the ground not beside the ocean becomes a pond as this picture. The water comes from the bottom of the ground.

I was dismayed because this is the first time to see such a scene, since I arrived in Tuvalu this August. However, Tuvaluan people just continue their life as if nothing had happened and children are rather enjoying this event.

They say you can see such a scenes at the spring tides from January to March.

Even though such events may happen only once or twice in a year, they have a very strong impact on the Fongafale islet ground and residents here.

I realize that observation and collection data constantly over a long period is necessary to plan the appropriate countermeasure.

Wording Responsible: Fumiko Matsudate (Project Coordinator)