"Relief agencies were sending aid to Tonga on Monday amid reports of extensive damage to low-lying islands in the South Pacific archipelago after they were battered by a strong cyclone at the weekend."

"Early reports from emergency workers suggested that category five Cyclone Ian and its associated hurricane-force winds had caused significant damage to islands in the north.

Tonga's director of emergencies, Leveni Aho, said there was no communication with 80 percent of the worst-hit Ha'apai island group, including Lifuka, which bore the brunt of the storm."

Jane Wardell reports for Reuters January 13, 2014. [2]