Vanuatu: Tropical Cyclone Hola leaves one dead as of March 9

Event

Tropical Cyclone Hola had left at least one person dead on Vanuatu's Pentecost Island and two others injured on Malekula as of Friday, March 9. According to a Red Cross volunteer, hundreds of families on Malekula suffered damages to their homes and gardens; the Red Cross and UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) also reported damage to cellphone networks in several parts of the country.

According to Vanuatu's Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department, as of 05:57 (local time) on Saturday, March 10, the storm was located around 215 km (133.6 mi) south-southwest of Erromango and 190 km (118.1 mi) west of Aneityum, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h (93.2 mph), and moving in a southeasterly track at 30 km/h (18.6 mph). Winds of 75 km/h (46.6 mph) are expected to continue to batter Tafea province in the coming hours; cyclonic winds are forecast to dissipate in Shefa province in the coming 6 to 12 hours. Further heavy rainfall, flash flooding in low-lying areas and near rivers, and coastal flooding is expected in Vanuatu in the coming hours.

Advice

Individuals present in Vanuatu are advised to monitor local weather reports, confirm travel reservations, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. Be prepared to leave immediately if an evacuation order is given.

Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.