Evacuations as cyclone hits

People living by a river near the Vanuatu capital Port Vila have been evacuated from their homes following heavy rain yesterday. The rain, caused by Cyclone Gina, resulted in the Prima River overflowing. Shefa provincial government disaster officer, Eddy Maliliu, says some residents were staying at a local church, and others with relatives. All schools in Port Vila were closed. Cyclone Gina has brought wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour to Shefa and Tafea provinces and are forecast to continue last night. The Vanuatu Meteorology and GeoHazards Department says the category one stormis due to cause some very rough seas. Meanwhile, Air Vanuatu has cancelled its Sydney service because of the weather. Domestic services have also been postponed. The International Airport of Bauerfield has been flooded.