Cyclone Judy

Islanders were affected by the two tropical cyclones that swept through the Milne Bay Province earlier this month.

“That’s Budibudi, Iwa, Yanabwa, and Rossel, Sudest southside, the Calvados chain of Samarai-Murua. So we have this extent of remote communities that have been severely hit by two cyclones consecutively.”

The cyclones have left over two hundred thousand people in Vanuatu reeling from the after effects, while in the maritime district of Samarai-Murua, widespread damages have also been observed and reported.

On Sunday, PM Marape offered sympathies to the people of Vanuatu and said Papua New Guinea stands ready to assist its Melanesian brother regain its footing after natural disasters hit the island nation beginning Friday last week.

The heavy rainfall was caused by Cyclone Judy, which passed through the Solomon Islands and PNG from Vanuatu.

The damage to the region's infrastructure has been extensive, with the 12th bridge between PHA and SDA Church collapsing and disrupting traffic along the main Kimbe Town highway.

Key points:

• Cyclone Judy is packing wind gusts of up to 200kph
• Dangerous swell conditions, heavy rainfall and flash flooding are expected
• The cyclone is expected to move away from Vanuatu on Thursday

The category three storm hit the capital Port Vila this morning (Wednesday), with residents reporting minor damage so far.

Schools and businesses are closed and Air Vanuatu has cancelled all domestic and international flights, with flights expected to resume on Thursday.