Vanuatu: Tropical Cyclone Sose - Apr 2001

Tropical Storm SOSE caused heavy rain, rough Northwesterly swells, and sustained gale force winds over 100 km/hr throughout the western isles of Vanuatu, particularly affecting the islands of Santo, Malekula, Ambae, the Shepherd Group, Efate, Erromango, Tanna, and Anatom. SOSE has affected the same provinces struck by Cyclone PAULA from 28 February to 1 March 2001. 60 people were evacuated from flooded areas, some 59 houses were completely destroyed. The Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) predicts that the combined effect of the two cyclones will adversely affect the national economy as 50-60 per cent of cash and subsistence crops in Western and Southern Santo and Malekula, Ambae have suffered damage. (OCHA, 11 Apr 2001)