Transcript
"For those who have not taken the warning seriously, they should start preparing themselves before the system actually comes over if it maintains its track of movement."
Schools and businesses in Vanuatu's north have shut down as part of the emergency response.
The red alert triggered by the naming of the cyclone means people should secure their property, avoid flood zones and stay home to wait out the dangerous weather.
Presley Tari of the National Diasaster Management Office says with an increasing number of disasters over recent years, most people in Vanuatu are alert all the time and know what to do.
He says more parts of the country are likely to shut down as the cyclone moves south.
"NDMO is advising everyone to stay alert in their houses. Prepare themselves for the cyclone coming. So we are asking those with the red alert to close down their business and even the schools I think (are) already closed like in the places where the red alert is."
Presley Tari says there are already reports on social media of damaged crops on northern islands from brief wild winds over the weekend ahead of Cyclone Oma.
The Red Cross Team Leader in Luganville on Santo John Boar says the agency was preparing to open its emergency operations centre and had reports coming in of heavy rain in rural areas.
"They are experiencing big rains, rough seas, and rivers flowing in most parts of the western part of Santo."
Mr Boar says communication with islands in the northern Torba Province have been poor since Monday and they are using VHF radio to try and contact people there but have not heard of any injuries or significant damage yet.
He says Luganville is expected to bear the brunt of Cyclone Oma from early afternoon on Thursday.
He says the agency has some relief supplies in store.
