Attachments
Highlights
• Category 5 Cyclone Pam struck Vanuatu with winds peaking around 320kmph causing widespread destruction.
• Internet, radio and GSM communications offline across the country with the exception of the capital, Port Vila, which has intermittent services in areas around the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO).
• The Government of Vanuatu has requested international assistance. The humanitarian community is mobilising to support urgent needs.
• ETC Coordinator and Technical Specialist have deployed to Vanuatu to conduct assessments with partners and coordinate the inter-agency ICT response.
Situation Overview
Tropical Cyclone Pam struck Vanuatu (population 234,000), affecting the capital of Port Vila, as an extremely destructive category 5 cyclone on the evening of 13 March at around 11 p.m. local time. The cyclone’s eye passed close to Efate Island, where the capital is located, and winds are estimated to have reached 250kmph with gusts peaking at around 320kmph.
While information from the provinces and outlying islands is still unavailable, the situation in Port Vila indicates that many homes made of natural and local materials are damaged or destroyed.
It has been reported that Cyclone Pam destroyed all mobile towers except one in Port Vila resulting in a complete lack of communication between Efate and both north and south provinces. There has also been damage to the HF radio at NDMO preventing them from communicating with any provinces or emergency services or sending community announcements.
Preliminary estimates suggest that up to 80% of power lines are down in Port Vila and will not be fully restored for several weeks. The Port Vila Airport terminal and towers sustained damage and the airfield is badly flooded and will not be able to accept civilian flights for as long as two weeks