8 Feb 2012

Vanuatu on high alert as Cyclone Jasmine gets closer

10:02 am on 8 February 2012

Southern Vanuatu remains at risk from destructive gales, flooding and huge swells for the next twelve hours as Severe Tropical Cyclone Jasmine moves through the region.

Early this morning it was situated about 215 kilometres southwest of the capital Port Vila.

The Vanuatu Meteorological Service warns destructive hurricane force winds of 125 kilometres an hour, gusting to 185 kilometres will affect Tafea Province for the next day.

Destructive gale to storm force winds will also affect South of Malampa, Shefa and Tafea provinces in the next six to twelve hours.

Very rough seas with phenomenal swells are expected over all open waters of Vanuatu.

Heavy rainfall and flooding, including coastal flooding is also expected, mostly about the central and southern islands.