Cyclone Oma

The NDMO confirmed that the National Emergency Operational Centre (NEOC) remains operational, as well as the Provincial Emergency Operation Centre (EOC)’s at Torba, Sanma and Malampa province.

“Plans are in place to conduct aerial surveillance of damaged areas on Wednesday 20 February. Assessment teams have been formed in Torba and Sanma provinces to commence damage assessments,” a statement said.

Logistical plans are in place to provide relief supplies when the rough seas subside.

In the past 3 hours, Tropical Cyclone Oma was slow moving west south-westerly at 4 kph and away from Vanuatu.

Earlier, it had stalled west of Vanuatu's biggest island of Santo.

The storm had lashed the northern islands of the country over the past 24 hours, reportedly bringing down trees and houses in the area.

The cyclone is about 280 kilometres west southwest of Santo and 365 kilometres west northwest of Malekula.

The storm is packing gusts of up to 110 km/hr.

The government has issued its highest alert level of red for Torba, Sanma, Penama and Melampa provinces.

Oma is still a category two system and was sitting 145km west of Santo at 8am local time this morning.

It is heading in a north north-east direction towards Santo's north-west, with winds as high as 130km/h at its centre.

Authorities in Vanuatu are warning of torrential rain, damaging winds and violent storm surges.

The Meteorological Service has described the sea swells in the area as phenomenal and is urging people to stay inland.