Vanuatu is believed to have made it out of Tropical Cyclone Cook with little-to-no damage, despite heavy rain and strong winds hitting the Penama, Sanma, Malampa, Tafea and Shefa provinces.
According to Vanuatu’s Meteorological and Geo-Hazards Department, the category two cyclone delivered winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour to the South Pacific nation, which brought down several trees and caused power cuts in parts of Port Vila and Efate island.
Although the worst seems to have passed, authorities say people living near rivers and along the coast could still be at risk of experiencing flash flooding, ABC News reported.
“We have lots of rain and experiencing strong winds and looking at the ocean we have a big heavy swell.”
Nol Steven, National Disaster Management Office
“We continue to inform those who live in low-lying areas to move to safer places and those who are in old buildings, they need to evacuate.”
Flights to and from Port Vila have also been affected, with Bauerfield International Airport grounding operations over the weekend.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is advising Australians in Vanuatu to prepare for disruptions to their travel plans and to confirm their flights with airlines or travel operators.
Meanwhile, the cyclone is now making its way towards Vanuatu’s South Pacific neighbour New Caledonia, and is expected to make landfall today.
New Caledonian airline, Aircalin, said the storm is expected to strengthen as it approaches the destination and as a result the carrier has decided to cancel select flights from Noumea, Sydney and Mekbourne.
Affected flights include SB111 from Melbourne to Noumea, SB149 and SB148 between Sydney and Noumea as well as tomorrow’s Sydney – Noumea – Sydney: SB141 and SB 140 departing on Tuesday 11 April 2017.
“A new schedule is being defined according to the developing status of the cyclone and Aircalin will endeavor to contact all confirmed passengers and provide the best possible solution to ensure customers are impacted as little as possible,” the carrier said in a statement.
Passengers are being urged to review the Aircalin website for up to date information rather than contact the carrier directly.
DFAT is warning Aussies booked to travel to New Caledonia over the next 24 hours that they may experience flight cancellations and should prepare for travel disruptions.