New Caledonia

Cyclone Niran causes damage and injures one in New Caledonia

The cyclone hit today generating gusts of up to 220km/h.

RRB radio reported a child was injured by shards of glass from a bay window during the storm.

About 20,000 people are without power and roofs have also been ripped off buildings in the town of Dumbéa, on the outskirts of Noumea.

Several ships have also been forced aground on the coast in Noumea although according to a provisional report, no major damage was recorded following this cyclone, the intensity of which was a little lower than expected.

Severe tropical storm heads to New Caledonia

The category five tropical cyclone Niran has sustained winds of over 200kph and is moving towards New Caledonia at 43km.

Julian Leduc, a Forecaster with the New Caledonia weather office, said the system is 230kms west of the far north of New Caledonia.

"And we begin to have strong gusts on the northern part of the island with 50 knots," he said.

"And its forecast to cross to the main island during the morning, and later today to the southern part of the island."

The system has been hovering in the Coral Sea for the last few days.

New Caledonia delays Vanuatu plane departure over debt

The plane, which had just delivered more than 100 ni-Vanuatu university students to New Caledonia, was held up for an hour before being allowed to return to Port Vila.

The Chief Executive of Air Vanuatu, Atu Finau, said there had been outstanding bills for ground handling at Tontouta International Airport.

He wouldn't say how much was involved but he did say the arrears extended back more than two years.

Finau said the airline had now reached an agreement with civil aviation in New Caledonia to settle the debt.

   

Vanuatu women's group worried about potential travel bubble

The president of the City Centre Women in Business said their members were one of the first to come into contact with tourists, which poses a risk for contracting Covid-19.

Marie Rose Marango said the association had over 60 women and they sold their products in the centre of Port Vila, which was popular with visitors.

Marango said there had been no awareness by health authorities regarding future visitors to the country.

Vanuatu and New Caledonia launch safe travel Tamtam Bubble

From April, the so-called 'Tamtam Bubble' will allow easier travel between the covid-free Melanesian neighbours.

Travel will be restricted to Vanuatu's main island of Efate.

Launching the bubble on Friday, Bob Loughman said it would allow a resumption of business activities in the capital Port Vila and for Vanuatu students to resume studies in New Caledonia while others will be able to return home.

New Caledonia and Vanuatu's borders remain closed to travellers from other countries.

New Caledonia's pro-independence camp wins historic election

The vote follows the collapse this month of the tenuous power sharing government led by conservative president Thierry Santa.

New Caledonia's 54 seat Congress has cast its votes for a new 11 member government.

The anti-independence coalition of loyalists, L'Avenir en Confiance got 18 votes securing four ministerial portfolios and Caledonie Ensemble secured one portfolio with six votes.

7.7 quake off New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands

Geoscience Australia says the quake, which struck early this morning, had an epicentre 400 kilometres east of the town of Tadine.

Seismic data indicates the undersea earthquake struck at a depth of 54 kilometres.

Several aftershocks of up to magnitude 6.1 have occurred.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System says hazardous tsunami waves up to a level of 1 metre above the normal tide level are possible for coasts within 1-thousand kilometres of the epicentre with New Caledonia, Vanuatu particularly at risk.

Cyclone Lucas leaves damages in New Caledonia

The cyclone was a category two when it tore through the French territory.

The territory's south in particular experienced bad weather.

The system passed close to the capital Noumea, as well as the Isle of Pines.

Journalist, Andre Qaeze, said the cyclone caused flooding, felled trees, and damaged homes as well as buildings in the territory.

Cyclone Lucas has now been downgraded to a tropical low.

 

Photo source Chave Weather 

     

TC Lucas tracks towards Vanuatu and New Caledonia

The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department (VMGD) is reporting TC Lucas has a moderate to high chance of entering Vanuatu’s area of responsibility in the next 24 to 48 hours.

According to Weather Watch NZ, TC Lucas is tracking eastwards towards Vanuatu and New Caledonia and may reach severe category 3 status.

The VMDG said heavy rainfall is expected over parts of Shefa and Tafea islands.

Vaccination programme rolls out in the French territories

The Pfizer vaccine programme began on 20 January and requires two doses with a 21 day interval between jabs.

The programme is funded by Paris and is free but not compulsory.

And French Polynesian health authorities have given the first of a two dose Covid-19 vaccine to 1526 of its most at-risk people.

The vaccination campaign began on 18 January with Phase One focusing on health workers and those over 75 on Tahiti and Mo'orea.

Hospital staff on Ra'iatea and Nuku Hiva are also being inoculated.

They will receive their second jab in February.