Alerts lifted in Vanuatu provinces as Oma heads for New Caledonia
Port Vila: The Red Alert for Vanuatu’s Sanma province and the Yellow Alert for Malampa province was cancelled yesterday as Tropical Cyclone Oma moved away from the country.
The Vanuatu Meteorology Department said at 8am local time the category two storm was about 385 kilometres west-southwest of Malekula, and moved away from the country in a southwesterly direction at 14km/hr. However, people were advised to continue listening to the radio in case the cyclone turned back towards Vanuatu. Heavy rainfall and flash flooding over low lying areas and areas close to river banks, including coastal flooding were expected to continue to affect northern and central islands.
New Caledonia prepares for arrival of Oma
Meanwhile, authorities in New Caledonia issued a range of warnings yesterday as Cyclone Oma moved towards the territory.
The cyclone, which strengthened, was forecast to move within 100km of Belep - an island above New Caledonia’s main island - in the next day.
The Meteorological Service in Noumea said Belep and the far north of the main island could experience winds gusting as high as 170 km/h on Tuesday.
A level two cyclone alert has been issued for the northern province, where emergency shelters have already been opened and schools ordered shut.
The Civil Security department says damaging winds, flooding and very rough seas can be expected.