TC Judy devastation

A category 4 cyclone with destructive winds of up to 150 km per hour and gusting to 200 km per hour, has also caused severe damage to infrastructure, buildings, connectivity, and crops.

Port Vila and Tanna felt the brunt of the cyclone with power outage and water cuts in some of the worst affected communities.

Vanuatu Red Cross is working with authorities to ascertain how many households require immediate assistance as well as provide first aid to individuals.

Vanuatu Red Cross Secretary General, Dickinson Tevi said:

The islands of Erramango and Tanna were expected to be hit hard.

Vanuatu Meteorology said Tafea remained under red alert.

On Thursday morning local time the centre of the storm was about 245km south-east of Tanna and 150km south-east of Aneityum, the forecaster said.

RNZ pacific reports destructive hurricane force winds of 165km/h, gusting to 230km/h, were forecast to affect an area 30 nautical miles from the centre of the system and would continue to affect Tafea province on Thursday.