Cyclone Harold to directly hit Vanuatu

Cyclone Harold to directly hit Vanuatu

By Semi Turaga
Sunday 05/04/2020
Residents board up houses in Vanuatu as Cyclone Harold nears. [Photo: VBTC]

Vanuatu is bracing for a direct hit from the still intensifying Cyclone Harold, which is forecast to pass straight over the central islands, forcing the country to contend with dual emergencies.

Harold, a category four storm, was sitting off the country's west and continuing to strengthen on Sunday afternoon.

On its current track, Harold is forecast to pass directly over the islands of Malekula and Ambrym late tomorrow as a powerful and destructive category five storm - the highest category there is - with winds near its centre in excess of 200km/h.

Capturess

[Already there is widespread flooding in Vanuatu as Cyclone Harold nears. Photo: VBTC]

While its path could stray from that forecast, Vanuatu is almost certain to experience some kind of direct hit.

Today, reports from islands in Vanuatu's west - including Santo, the country's largest - indicated that damage had already been done, with people forced to flee villages or find higher ground.

Pictures shared to social media showed villages on the island of Malekula, which is likely to bear a direct impact, flooded by rivers that spilled over their banks to swallow food gardens, and villagers boarding up huts and tightening thatching on their roofs.

Capture

[Forecast track map for severe Tropical Cyclone Harold shows it will develop to into a powerful category 5 cyclone. Photo: Fiji Meteorological Service]

FEATURE NEWS
TC Rae to stay in Fiji waters tonight into tomorrow
The threat of strong winds, heavy rain and flooding remains tonight into tomorrow as Category 2 Tropical Cyclone Rae continues to track into the Fiji ...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Labasa residents urged to return home as town floods
As heavy rain continues in the Northern Division, Labasa Town Special Administrator Paul Jaduram is urging people in town to return to their homes ...
2 hours ago

Parliament to review policies and laws on legal framework
The Government is prioritizing the review of the legal framework for elections to facilitate the right to vote for all citizens, including persons ...
2 hours ago

Prof. Biman Prasad to appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan at 7pm Wednesday
Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Biman Prasad will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan at 7pm Wednesday. The interview will ...
3 hours ago

Bus services in Viti Levu may be suspended after student drop-offs, some to halt after 6pm
Bus services in Viti Levu could be suspended after students have been dropped off while some bus companies may decide to suspend it after ...
3 hours ago

Lands Ministry calls on FLP to stop misleading people
The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources says the allegation by Fiji Labour Party that some 20 containers of Gold Ore has been shipped out to ...
3 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
World Radio Day
Radio remains one of the best mediums for news and information for a number of reasons and in situations such as natural disasters and political ...
11 days ago

Health Minister Dr Lalabalavu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Health Minister, Doctor Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
19 days ago

PM Rabuka on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan. The in-depth interview will focus on many issues facing the ...
23 days ago

TOP