22 Feb 2011

Vanuatu cyclone damage to be assessed in south

8:07 pm on 22 February 2011

Vanutau's disaster management office says it is waiting on reports from Tanna and Aneityum Islands, after they were hit by cyclone Atu.

The office says it is coordinating with provincial governments, and is expecting reports from tomorrow.

It says the main island, Efate, has suffered only minor damage to food crops.

The cyclone is now about 200 kilometres south of Aneityum, and forecasters say it will still bring destructive gale force winds.

The owner of a Tanna guesthouse has described the damage to food crops as devastating.

Talapua Guesthouse's Johnny Tavo says he's now worried about food shortages as a result of the category four gusts.

"On Tanna, I think the people will run out of food because all the crops like banana and coconut trees, all the fruits were blown off."