Vanuatu's weather office is warning of destructive storm force winds as Tropical Cyclone Hola makes landfall in Vanuatu's northern islands.
The Vanuatu Meteorological and Geohazards Department said winds gusting up to 160 km/hr were expected to hit Pentecost, Ambrym, Malekula, Paama, Epi and the Shepards group.
The Tropical Cyclone currently remains at category two but this may increase over the next 12 to 18 hours as it moves west southwest at 6km/hr.
It is currently 20 kilometres southeast of Ambrym with sustained winds close to the centre estimated at 95km/hr.
The weather warning predicts seas will remain very rough with heavy to phenomenal swells, heavy rainfalls, thunderstorm and flash flooding over low lying areas and areas close to river banks including coastal flooding.
A Disaster Office red alert warning in place for the four provinces of Sanma, Penama, Malampa and Shefa, which cover much of the country.
Vanuatu's Meteorology and Geohazards Department spokesman Glen Siba said the cyclone's central pressure was dropping, bringing heavy rain and higher winds.
"We expect heavy rainfall, thunder storm and flash flooding actually in low lying areas and areas close to the riverbanks. Also we are expecting strong wind actually for coastal areas and coastal waters and high seas for Vanuatu areas."
Peter Korisa from Vanuatu's National Disaster Management Office said they had earlier issued messages for people to prepare as the cyclone draws near.
"We issued a red alert for those provinces because the cyclone as it's approaching within the next 12-24 hours it will reach those provinces so we sort of advise them, the communities, to do some basic preparedness."
Mr Korisa said people should also stay away from the coast as storm surges are possible with rough seas and heavy swells in Vanuatu waters.