Tropical Cyclone Urmil is moving away slowly from Vanuatu Photo: Zoom Earth
The Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office has given the 'all clear' to TAFEA Province as Tropical Cyclone Urmil moves away, tracking southeast.
Earlier on Saturday, a red alert was issued for TAFEA province as a tropical cyclone hovered near the province.
Tropical Cyclone Urmil, a category 2 cyclone, formed southwest of Port Vila on Friday.
The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department's last special weather bulletin on Tropical Cyclone Urmil said damaging Gale force winds of 90 km/hr will continue to affect Tafea Province on Saturday, 28 February, 2026
Heavy rainfalls with flash flooding are expected over low lying areas and areas close to river banks, including coastal flooding over TAFEA today. Very rough seas with heavy to phenomenal swells are expected over the area mention above.
Marine strong wind warning is current for Central and southern waters of Vanuatu. High Seas wind warning is also current for all open waters of Vanuatu. People, including sea going vessels are advised to take precautions.
Conditions in the province are expected to ease as the cyclone moves further out to open ocean.
Communities on Tanna island prepared for a Friday night of heavy weather as Tropical cyclone Urmil passed close-by.
Mora Kapum of White Grass Ocean Resort in Lenakel told RNZ Pacific that there was heavy rain and strong winds last night [Friday], leading to some minor flooding.
She said there is no serious damage there but there is a lot of cleaning up today, and it's still very windy.
Fiji
The Fiji Meteorological Service has issued severe weather warnings for the country.
A flash flood alert is now in force for the Western Division from Sigatoka to Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki.
And a heavy rain warning remains in force for the Western Division [including Yasawa and Mamanuca groups], Kadavu and nearby smaller islands and is now in force for the rest of the Fiji group.
A special weather bulletin for heavy rain said a trough of low pressure with cloud and rain remains slow moving over Fiji.
Meanwhile, Category 2 Tropical Cyclone Urmil lies over Vanuatu and is expected to pass the southwest of Fiji tonight.
On this track, it is expected to direct a strong northwesterly wind flow, with active rain bands over the country.
