New Caledonia

The category three system is on track to hit the island of Ouvea with very destructive winds.

A level two alert has been in force for Ouvea and Lifou as well as coastal areas of the main island, which means that people have to be inside their homes or in shelters.

The maximum alert will be extended to the rest of the east coast and to the island of Mare at 5pm today.

Authorities have shut down the water supply in Hienghene, Poindimie and Canala to protect those communities from storm contamination.

The cyclone, with winds gusting up to 265 km/h close to its centre, is affecting Vanuatu's Torba, Sanma and Malampa provinces.

Disaster authorities in Vanuatu said people and supplies were standing by ready to be deployed to cyclone-hit areas as soon as possible.

RNZI reports the worst-hit Torres Islands, where houses have been toppled and food crops destroyed, continue to experience winds gusting over 200 km/h.

The director of the disaster management office, Shadrack Welegtabit, said continued stormy weather was hampering the response effort.

President Philippe Germain has released a million US dollars, which means that 23 communities will each receive $US4500 for urgent repairs.

The category 3 storm crossed the main island Grande Terre, damaging homes, uprooting trees, downing power lines and destroying crops.

Mr Germain said additional funding would be given by the three provincial governments while damage assessments are continuing.

He said he had also approached the French High Commission, asking for a declaration of natural disaster in order to trigger the release of more emergency assistance.

The boat was seized earlier this month after being caught fishing illegally for beche de mer in the territory's north.

The intercepted boat was escorted to Noumea where it sank in port following a leak.

The authorities managed to contain a minor fuel spillage.

Photo: AFP A Vietnamese "blue boat". 

The man went missing from Kouaoua on the east coast and late yesterday a police search was still underway.

Reports say the man went to look for keys to a house during the cyclone and never returned.

Four people were slightly injured in the category three storm which is moving south away from the territory.

The president Philippe Germain said New Caledonia was left relatively unscathed by the cyclone.

He said Houailou on the east coast where Cook made landfall on the main island was among the most damaged areas.

Public services have gradually re-opened this morning in the New Caledonian capital Noumea after the territory was battered by the cyclone.

The cyclone was now a category two storm after hitting the island as a category three and is heading south.

The latest warning advising people to limit their movements during the clear up was lifted at midday local time.

President of the government Philippe Germain praised New Caledonians for taking heed of the warnings which left the territory relatively unscathed.

The storm struck as a category 3 system when it hit yesterday but has since weakened while moving away to the south.

The alert has been lifted and people are allowed out of their homes and shelters to assess the damage. Firefighters are now out clearing debris from the island's roads.

Power has been restored to some towns in the north.

Cyclone Cook crossed the main island between Houailou and Moindou.

The storm's centre passed about 100 kilometres to the west of Noumea, sparing the territory's most densely populated areas.

The cyclone caused flooding in Vanuatu's central islands yesterday and is now set to hit New Caledonia's main island.

The storm's centre is forecast to pass to the west of the Loyalty Islands, before making landfall on the east coast of the main island Grand Terre.

Cyclone Cook will be the first to directly hit New Caledonia since 2003.

A level-one alert is in force for New Caledonia's north and outer island, meaning properties and livestock should be secured.

They declared a dengue epidemic in January and six people have died of the disease since then.

While there were more than 2000 cumulative cases of dengue in New Caledonia, Health and Social Affairs Directorate doctor Jean-Paul Grangeon said there were signs the outbreak was under control.

According to the public broadcaster, a French surveillance aircraft spotted two boats near Ouvea after which a naval vessel intercepted them to escort them to Noumea.

Reports said a Vietnamese fisherman, who was in a serious condition after a suspected diving accident, was immediately taken off and flown by helicopter to hospital.

Two other blue boats were seen near Belep and the navy succeeded in catching one of them.

A week earlier, French surveillance teams helped Solomon Islands catch three blue boats fishing illegally.