SUVA, Mar 1 (NNN-PINA) – All domestic and international flights for today have been cancelled, in the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, which is now being hit by category-two tropical cyclone Judy.
According to Radio New Zealand (RNZ), last night, commercial ships were urged by the country’s Port and Marine Departments, to find safe anchorage while banks and boarding schools in the capital city of Port Vila, have also been closed.
Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), has prepared evacuation centres in the capital city, but for the rest of Efate island and other offshore islands, the office is working closely with the Vanuatu Christian Council of Churches, to use church buildings as evacuation centres.
People throughout the island nation have been urged to take seriously warnings given by the country’s Meteorological Department.
Tropical cyclone Judy, which is now affecting Vanuatu’s northern provinces of Torba, Sanma, Penama and Malampa, is expected to intensify into a category three storm, when it reaches the capital city today.
In Mar, 2015, category-five tropical cyclone Pam, caused widespread damage and claimed 24 lives in Vanuatu, which has a population of more than 320,000.
The tropical cyclone season, which runs from Nov 1 to Apr 30, every year, can cause widespread rainfall and flooding in the cyclone-hit island countries.– NNN-PINA
