Passage of Tropical Cyclone Oma Likely to Cause Significant Disruption
Category: Natural Disasters
Severity: 3 (Moderate)
Source: Drum Cussac
02/15/2019 (Vanuatu) - Vanuatu's National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has issued a red alert, the highest in a three-tier scale, for Malampa, Penama, Sanma and Torba provinces, and a yellow alert for the Shefa province, which is likely to be in place until at least Saturday, 16 February. The cyclone is forecast to continue south-south-east over the north-eastern Coral Sea from Friday, 15 February. Reports suggest that several houses were damaged in Torba, Sanma and Malampa provinces and that authorities have set up emergency operation centres in the affected provinces. Heavy rainfall and strong winds of 60 mp/h (97 km/h) are forecast in the provinces under the red alert, affecting the central islands of Vanuatu in particular, over the coming days. Port Villa's Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) has already cancelled multiple flights.
Members in Vanuatu are advised to monitor local media sources and tune into local radio stations for weather-related updates and to remain apprised of disruption and warnings in their particular area of operations. Travellers should familiarise themselves with local emergency protocols and heed any directives issued by local authorities. Minimise time spent in low-lying flood-prone areas, valleys and unstable slopes susceptible to flash floods and landslides and coastal regions during the passing of the storm system.
Copyright © 2024 Drum Cussac
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