Information

Update 1 on Red Cross Action

Vanuatu Red Cross is well prepared and ready to respond to the needs of those most affected by Tropical Cyclone Donna. We have 300 volunteers on standby throughout the country, many of whom have been trained on Emergency Response Teams (ERT).

Once assessments have been done we are ready to distribute emergency relief items such has tarpaulins, water containers, kitchen sets, shelter kits and hygiene kits.

We have cleaned the water tanks at six evacuation centers on Efate including three in Port Vila and have added chlorine to the water to make it safe to drink.

An emergency operations center and response team have been set up at Vanuatu Red Cross headquarters and we have pre-positioned stocks in six branches throughout the country.

The Red Cross is working closely with the government and other partners to ensure the response is coordinated and is taking part in daily briefings at the NDMO.

Vanuatu Red Cross has taken the lessons learned during Cyclone Pam two years ago and has increased its disaster management capacity. We are closely monitoring the situation and ask the public to listen to the radio for updates and look out for text messages from NDMO and Meteo.

We ask people wanting to help to donate cash rather than goods so we can better target the needs of the most affected communities.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Number 14 for TORBA and SANMA

Tropical Cyclone Warning Number 14 issued by the Vanuatu Meteorology and
Geo-Hazards Department, Port Vila at 8:58am VUT Friday 5 May 2017 for
TORBA and SANMA.

At 8:00am local time today, Severe Tropical Cyclone Donna (Cat 3) was
located at 12.5 degrees South 166.0 degrees East.The system is positioned
at the left center of square letter F, number 2 (F,2) of the Vanuatu tropical
cyclone tracking Map. This is about 110 KM northwest of Torres and
225 KM northwest of Vanua Lava. The system is moving in a west direction
at 16 KM/HR in the past 3 hours.

The central pressure of the system is estimated at 960 hPa.Winds close
to the centre are estimated at 145 KM/HR , gusting to 205 KM/HR.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Donna is forecasted to be at 13.1 degrees South
165.1 degrees East within the next 06 to 12 hours.

Very destructive hurricane force winds of 145 KM/HR gusting to 205 KM/HR
will affect TORBA province today and continuing tonight. 

Destructive storm force winds of 95 KM/HR gusting to 135 KM/HR will affect
SANMA in the next 12 to 24 hours.

Damaging gale force winds of 75KM/hr gusting to 105 KM/HR will affect MALAMPA
in the next 24 hours.

Forecast Positions
Date and Time PositionIntensity
+06 hours (2pm, 5 May)12.8S, 165.5E80 KTS (150 KM/HR)
+12 hours (8pm, 5 May)13.1S, 165.1E80 KTS (150 KM/HR)
+18 hours (2am, 6 May)13.4S, 164.7E80 KTS (150 KM/HR)
+24 hours (8am, 6 May)13.7S, 164.5E80 KTS (150 KM/HR)
+36 hours (8pm, 6 May)14.3S, 164.3E80 KTS (150 KM/HR)
+48 hours (8am, 7 May)15.1S, 164.3E80 KTS (150 KM/HR)

Very destructive winds and very rough to phenomenal seas with heavy swells will
affect TORBA and SANMA. Heavy rainfall and flash flooding is also expected over
TORBA, SANMA, PENAMA and MALAMPA especially over low lying areas and areas close
to river banks. Coastal flooding is also expected.

The Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) advises people, that
Red Alert is now current for TORBA province, Yellow Alert is now current for
SANMA province. For actions on this alerts,call the office of the NDMO on 22699
or 33366.

The next warning on Severe Tropical Cyclone Donna will be issued at 12:00pm.
People overTORBA and SANMA and PENAMA, MALAMPA and SHEFA should listen
to all Radio Outlets to get the latest information on this system.

This warning is also available on VMGD's website www.vmgd.gov.vu