Photo: Fiji Met Service
Tropical cyclone Judy, a category two cyclone, is bearing down on Vanuatu and warnings remain in place.
On Tuesday morning, Vanuatu Meteorological Service (VMS) said the system was 175km from Vanua Lava, northern Vanuatu.
VMS forecaster Iuma Bani said the system was set to become a category three storm later Tuesday.
It was moving slowly, Bani said.
"We're not expecting the system to be here in Vila tonight, maybe tomorrow, sometime tomorrow morning because it is moving quite slowly," he said.
"Once it starts moving south, then it will start to speed up a little bit."
Damaging gale force winds of 63km/h to 87km/h are expected to affect the provinces of Torba, Penama, Sanma, and Malampa on Tuesday.
Bain said Red Alerts have been issued for the northern provinces of Penama, Torba and Sanma.
"People in low lying areas need to find higher ground in terms of flooding and coastal inundation. Also we have advised for the community to move to their evacuation centres if necessary to look after the elderly and people with disabilities," Bani said.
VMS said heavy rainfalls and thunderstorms were expected over the northern provinces of Vanuatu with flash flooding expected in low-lying areas close to the riverbanks, including coastal flooding on Tuesday.
Seas will become rough to very rough with heavy swells expected over the northern and central waters of Vanuatu today. A high seas warning is current for open waters to the north of Vanuatu.
Meanwhile, New Zealand's NIWA said the system was expected to move past Aotearoa without affecting their weather.
Tropical Cyclone (TC) Judy has intensified to a category 2.
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) February 27, 2023
It's expected to directly impact Vanuatu as a severe TC (category 3) over the next 36 hours.
Thereafter, ensemble modelling shows the TC passing well north & east of New Zealand and not directly impacting our weather. pic.twitter.com/VXejNGMhbF
Be prepared: alert colours issued across Vanuatu
The office of national disaster management office (NDMO) advises that a red alert is in effect for Torba, Sanma, Penama.
When a red alert is issued, you need to stay in a safe shelter within 24 hours:
- Stay tuned and informed through Radio, TV, SMS, or the Internet
- Turn off all gas and electricity and unplug all electrical items from the sockets
- Stay in the strongest and safest part of your house or the evacuation centre and do not go outside
- Stay away from doors and windows and keep them closed and locked
- Remain indoors or in a safe place and continue to listen to the radio and do not go outside until NDMO issues the 'all clear' after the meteorology service cancels the cyclone warning for your area.
- Take care to avoid dangers caused by fallen powerlines, trees, damaged building and other debris
- Support your family and neighbours especially the most vulnerable in your community
A yellow alert is in place for Malampa province.
When a yellow alert is issued, you need to take action as Gale Force winds will start within 12 hours:
- Stay tuned and informed through Radio,TV, SMS, or the Internet
- Bring together people you are responsible for, including bringing children back from school
- Put adequate fuel into vehicles and park safely
- Secure and store boats in safe areas
- nstall cyclone shutters and tape windows and louvers
- Finalise all blue alert activities urgently
- Put and keep animals in safe areas
- Consider the distance and time required to the evacuation centre or safe place and move early if you live in an unsafe house or area
- Recheck all water, food, phone, radio and other emergency supplies
- Dismantle HF radio system and store in a safe area or waterproof container
- Support your family and neighbours especially the most vulnerable in your community
A blue alert remains for Shefa and Tafea provinces.
When a blue alert is issued, you need to prepare as Gale Force winds will start within 24 hours:
- Stay tuned and informed through Radio, TV, SMS, or the Internet
- Secure and stow away loose material and rubbish, tie-down roof, prepare and erect cyclone shutters
- Secure valuable items and important documents in waterproof containers or plastic bags
- Cut down dangerous trees and branches, trim bananas and cassava crop
- Prepare a plan to keep your animals safe.
- Prepare water, food, lamps, torches, candles, matches
- Make sure phone is charged and has credit
- Identify the strongest area in the house
- Determine the nearest evacuation centre or safe place and the distance and time involved to get there
- Pack an evacuation kits with cloths, essentials medications, etc
- Support your family and neighbours especially the most vulnerable in your community.
