A child standing on top of what is left of a house structure following Cyclone Judy. Photo: World Vision
It is going to be another long night for many in Vanuatu as Cyclone Kevin lashes the country.
The Category 4 system is the second severe tropical cyclone to hit the Pacific nation in as many days and is tracking towards the already severely battered southern Tafea province.
"Destructive hurricane force winds of 130km/hr, gusting to 185km/hr within 35 Nautical miles from the center and expected to affect the islands of Malampa and Shefa in the next 3 to 12 hours," according to TC warning 11 from Vanuatu's Meteorology & Geo-Hazards Department issued at 6.01pm local time.
"Destructive storm force winds of 90km/pr, gusting to 130km/ph 50 Nautical miles from the center of the system and will affect Sanma, Malampa and Shefa today (Friday)."
The National Disaster Management Office has said that Red Alert is now in effect for Sanma, Penama, Malampa, Shefa and Tafea provinces.
Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau had announced that the President declared a state of emergency for areas impacted by severe tropical Cyclone Judy, following a request by the national disaster committee.
Speaking to RNZ Pacific, Port Vila journalist Dan McGarry said the country's second biggest city, Luganville, was starting to feel the impact of Kevin.
He said the longer it takes to reach the capital the the worse it will be.
"There is anticipation that a lot of the debris that was knocked to the ground by Cyclone Judy will be picked up again and thrown around. So, we are anticipating a little bit of additional danger from today's cyclone."
He added the first cyclone had caused widespread but moderate damage and there were no official news of any injuries or death.
People out and about inn Port Vila following the aftermath of Cyclone Judy. Photo: World Vision
Chief of Vanuatu's UNICEF field office Eric Durpaire has warned that about half the population had been affected by Judy.
"What we can see around is that trees, branches and roofs have been destroyed," Durpaire said.
"I just got a report that the newborn room in the Vanuatu Central Hospital the roof has flied away. That is the type of things that have been reported."
Durpaire fears food security was also at risk as a result of the damages.
The northern islands, he said, were mostly unaffected and could have assisted the rest of the country with food supplies.
He fears that if Kevin also destroys agriculture, "it will be a real challenge in the coming weeks and months".
World Vision Director Vanuatu Kendra Derousseau said the nation would be seeking international help after the cyclones pass.
"Given the damage I can see here in Port Vila and that another cyclone is coming, I anticipate that they will be calling on their government partners as well for additional relief," Derousseau said.
"World Vision Vanuatu will be working with the Australian and New Zealand governments to secure funding."
Meanwhile, the southern islands, Tanna and Erromango - which are expected to be worst hit by Cyclone Judy - remain unreachable.
Aucklander Greg Watt, who is close with the Tanna community, said he was feeling anxious about the situation.
"Given that Judy was a direct hit on Tanna and it looks like Kevin is also going to be a direct hit, on Tanna it's not looking great," he said.
Last one you're getting from me today. It's getting dark out, and that wind is dangerous. pic.twitter.com/hc5UpbSbl0
— Dan McGarry (@dailypostdan) March 3, 2023
But McGarry said Ni-Vanuatu people had been through bigger cyclones in the past and were prepared.
"The people of Vanuatu are very, very resilient. We are the most disaster-prone country in the world according to the World Bank and we are living up to our reputation this year."
The National Disaster Office has indicated no assessments of damage will be undertaken until Cyclone Kevin has passed.
The government has already requested France to provide military aircraft for reconnaissance.
