A severe Tropical Cyclone Pam that was upgraded to Category 5 early this morning is expected to hit Vanuatu tonight, Friday March 13 and emergency plans have been activated.

Category 5 is the strongest in a five-point scale for cyclones with winds of 250kmh or more.

According to Weather Watch NZ, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre said winds from TC Pam might have sustained speeds of 280km/h at the centre with gusts over 330km/h.

It will slowly cross Vanuatu today with likely considerable damage. On Saturday, March 14 it is expected to clear from Vanuatu and affect parts of eastern New Caledonia as it starts to slide south towards the North Island of New Zealand.

Vanuatu‘s Meteorological Services today stated damaging winds, very rough to phenomenal seas and heavy swells will affect Torba, Penama, Sanma and Malampa provinces.

Coastal flooding, flash flooding and landslides are also expected with winds gusting over 65mph may reach northern Vanuatu.

Assistance

Meanwhile, UNICEF is on standby to assist the Government of Vanuatu.

“We are committed to helping children and families as they prepare for one of the most severe cyclones,” said UNICEF Pacific Deputy Representative Isabelle Austin.

She said UNICEF is also supporting a holistic approach to the emergency preparedness and response by ensuring that support is provided to nutrition, health, education and protection clusters.

The Government of Vanuatu has in place well organized preparations and plans, and has convened committed humanitarian partners for the preparedness and response phase, including UNICEF.

“We also remain on standby to provide support to other Pacific Island countries including Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Republic of Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and Fiji as they are also experiencing severe weather at this time,” she said.

Tonga

In Tonga, a heavy rain warning remains in force for all of the islands issued by the Fua’amotu Weather Forecasting Centre at noon today.

Tonga is usually affected by one cyclone per year but the number increases to around two during El Nino.