Travellers and locals in Port Vila are being evacuated as a maximum category five Tropical Cyclone Pam heads towards Vanuatu’s capital.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has advised Australians to ‘reconsider your need to travel’ to Vanuatu to avoid ‘strong winds, storm surges, heavy rains, flooding and extremely rough seas’.
Australians in Vanuatu have been advised to take precautions by sheltering early, monitoring the media and the Vanuatu Meteorological Services website for updates, and following the advice of local authorities at all times.
Flight to, from and around Vanuatu have also been affected.
Vanuatu Airport remains closed and is expected to stay shut until 14 March.
All Air Vanuatu flights International and Domestic have been cancelled until further notice.
Fiji Airways cancelled its return service between Nadi and Port Vila today.
The airline said affected passengers will be booked on a supplementary flight, which will operate on the route on Sunday.
Vanuatu Tourism Office’s Australian representative, Anne Morris told KarryOn that safety for all visitors and residents remained the primary focus for the tourism board.
“Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila has been closed until further notice and visitors have been relocated to other properties as appropriate.”
Anne Morris, Vanuatu Tourism Office Australian representative
According to Vanuatu Meteorological Services, the cyclone is heading towards Port Vila and is expected to hit tonight with winds up to 280kph.
Other affected areas also include Penama, Malampa, Shefa and Tafea.
Our thoughts are with #Vanuatu as Cyclone Pam approaches @VanuatuTourism1 #storm http://t.co/t8GEFM8DJ1 pic.twitter.com/Rezg1CSvRg
— KarryOn (@karryontravel) March 13, 2015
And destructive storm force winds of 110kph will continue to affect Torra and Sanma.
Although she’s been upgraded to a category five tropical cyclone, Reuters reports that she isn’t expected to directly hit land, but rather cause flash flooding and destructive winds as she passes close to the shore.
“The southern islands like Tanna and other islands that are popular with tourists to the south may actually experience even greater impacts than [Port] Vila, where the centre may come closer.”
Neville Koop, Fiji’s Na Draki weather service Meteorologist told ABC News
The Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has issued a red alert for most of the affected areas.
However, an NDMO spokesperson said a yellow alert has been issued for Port Vila, which requires locals and travellers to start finding shelter in evacuation centres.
According to a local tourism operator, Bernie Millman from Iririki Island Resort, guests have been moved to the mainland to ensure any injuries or illnesses can be dealt with quickly.
Cyclone #Pam Heavy rain alreadycausing some flooding around parts of #PortVila. Photo: UNICEFPacific/2015/Clements pic.twitter.com/CgSUcSUFkk
— UNICEF Pacific (@UNICEFPacific) March 13, 2015
He said some of his guests decided to end their holiday and return home days earlier after hearing about the cyclone, however 36 guests stayed behind – the majority of which are from Australia.
KarryOn has contacted Vanuatu Tourism Office in Australia is awaiting comment on any further impacts to travel.
Meanwhile, tropical cyclone, Olwyn, which is heading towards Western Australia is expected to weaken during the day, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
And Cyclone Nathan, which is travelling along the northeast coast of Queensland is expected to head north and east away from the state. However, strong winds are likely to continue.