The first report from one of Vanuatu's more remote islands suggests devastation on a massive scale in the wake of Cyclone Pam, Radio New Zealand reports.
A bridge outside the Vanuatu capital of Port Vila damaged by Cyclone Pam. Photo: AFP/UNICEF Pacific
With wind gusts of more than 300 kilometres per hour, Cyclone Pam razed homes, smashed boats and destroyed crops. Aid workers describe the situation as catastrophic.
The death toll in Vanuatu is understood to be eight and 20 injured, but those numbers are almost certain to rise as rescuers reach outlying islands.
The Vanuatu Government has declared a State of Emergency in Shefa province and is expecting to announce a national state of emergency following the destruction.
New Zealand has pledged $2.5 million in aid, and Prime Minister John Key said the Government would be doing more to help out Vanuatu, including longer term redevelopment.
The first priority had been to check on the safety of people there, including New Zealanders and the second to restore basic services, and, eventually, to look towards long term development.
“These islands are subject to cyclones from time to time so using this process to strengthen the infrastructure is important,” he said.
In New Zealand, Cyclone Pam is bringing strong wind gusts, power cuts and high seas to the north of the North Island as its first effects are felt.
Wind gusts of 144 kilometres an hour have been recorded in exposed parts the Hauraki Gulf and similar strength wind in exposed parts of Northland and the Ministry of Civil Defence said large, possibly damaging waves and strong winds were being experienced on the east coast of the North Island, especially from Hawkes Bay to Cape Reinga. The ministry has activated the National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC).
Power was cut to almost 2000 homes in the Auckland region following high winds but has now mostly been restored. Of the 1200 households that lost electricity supplies in South Hokianga, in the Far North, only a handful are still without power.
