The South Pacific state of Vanuatu is preparing for the arrival of a super cyclone. It is said that Tropical Storm ‘Lola’ has now been classified as the strongest Category 5. It is forecast to reach “highly destructive wind speeds” of 230 kilometers per hour with gusts of up to 320 km/h over the next 24 hours.
According to calculations by the local Meteorological and Geohazards Authority (VMGD), ‘Lola’ will reach the islands of Torba, Sanma, Penama, Malampa and Shefa on Tuesday – all north of the main island of Efate with the capital Port Vila – in the coming hours.
There were fears of a ‘Tsunami-like storm surge’
Air Vanuatu has canceled all flight connections as a precaution. Ships were recalled to port amid fears of a “tsunami-like storm surge,” Radio New Zealand reported.
The authorities have issued a red alert
Red alert has been issued for the affected provinces. This means that residents must immediately get to safety. As a precaution, several dozen people were taken to evacuation centers. According to VMGD, heavy rains with flash floods and flooding were expected, especially near the coast. The authority also warned of extremely rough seas and huge waves.
Frequently hit by hurricanes
Vanuatu is regularly hit by cyclones between November and April every year, according to the island country’s emergency agency website. “Communities in Vanuatu have developed strong resilience to natural hazards through decades of experience in dealing with these hazards.”
Vanuatu is an island nation in the South Pacific, consisting of approximately 80 islands stretching over 1,300 kilometers. It is located almost 1,800 kilometers east of Australia.
Source: Krone
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