Recent Natural Disasters | Calamities | Hazards

November 24, 2019: The South Pacific cyclone season's first storm named Rita has formed between Solomon Islands and Vanuatu . According to the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department, at 5pm local time, the low pressure near Solomon Islands was named Tropical Cyclone Rita as it developed into a category one system. Cyclone Rita was located about 405 km NE of Torres and 400 km NNE of Sola, an island in the far north of Vanuatu, Radio New Zealand reported. Rita is the first tropical cyclone of the Season 2019-2020. New Zealand is typically affected by one ex-tropical cyclone per year.

October 21, 2019: Magnitude 6.4 strong earthquake has been recorded in Vanuatu with epicenter located 58.6 km SSW of Isangel, Tafea, Vanuatu. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at a greater depth of 226 km. The earthquake occurred at 01:52 pm local time Monday afternoon. There is no Tsunami threat from this earthquake. Main Post: Recent Natural Disasters List October 21, 2019

Traditionally-built homes in Vanuatu have been receiving the brunt of Cyclone Oma (IFRC Asia Pacific/Twitter) February 17, 2019: The Fiji Meteorological Service has upgraded Tropical Cyclone Oma to a category 3. According to the Radio New Zealand, the tropical cyclone Oma lashed the northern islands of the Vanuatu over the past 24 hours, reportedly bringing down trees and houses in the area. The Vanuatu Red Cross has reported that the houses and trees have been brought down by Cyclone Oma in the north of the country. Related Post:  Cyclone Donna forms NE of Vanuatu, poses no threat to Fiji At 00:15 UTC, the Cyclone Oma was stationary about 285 kilometres west of Santo and was packing gusts of up to 130 km/hr. According to the Tropical Cyclone Warning Number 26 issued by the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD), Port Vila at 3:05 a.m. VUT, heavy rainfall and flash flooding over low lying areas and areas close to the river banks, including coas