Cyclone Threat Looms as Vanuatu Grapples with Earthquake Aftermath
Vanuatu is bracing for an imminent cyclone threat as it struggles to cope with the destruction brought about by a powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake earlier this week. Severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, are expected to hit the region, increasing the risk of landslides and flash flooding.
Low Pressure System Raises Cyclone Concerns The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department has issued an alert for a low-pressure system developing in the Coral Sea. The system may have the potential to track towards Vanuatu and has been given a 10–60% chance of developing into a cyclone.
In a Facebook post, the department warned residents to expect possible landslides and flooding, especially in areas that have already been destabilized by debris and erosion following the earthquake.
Port Vila Struggles Without Water
The situation is dire in the capital city of Port Vila. An earthquake on Tuesday destroyed critical water reservoirs and left the city without access to functioning water. The death toll from the disaster has also been revised down from 14 to nine, though officials fear the number may still rise as rescue operations are ongoing.
Rescue Operations Continue
Rescue missions have been going on with some progress made by emergency response teams. Seven survivors were pulled from the rubble of the collapsed Billabong building in Port Vila's central business district. Tragically, one body has also been recovered from the site, but uncertainty lingers about how many people were inside when the building fell.
The Caretaker Minister for Disaster Management, John Salong has now indicated that the search-and-rescue efforts are becoming more of a recovery operation. "With two days having passed since the quake, our focus now shifts to recovering the bodies of those who have lost their lives," he said.
International Aid Steps In
This aside, Australian and French rescue teams have joined the operation, putting in round-the-clock work to retrieve survivors and stabilize the affected areas. It underlines the collaboration required to address both immediate and long-term impacts of the dual disaster.
Preparing for a Double Crisis
Resilience will be put to the test as Vanuatu prepares for potential cyclonic activity. Earthquake damage and severe weather put strong constraints on recovery efforts and may deepen the humanitarian crisis.
People are advised to be fully alert and monitor updates from the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department. The country is trying hard to recover from the tragedy, but immediate preparation for another looming threat is essential.