Source: Radio New Zealand
Tropical cyclone Urmil near Vanuatu, 28 February 2026 Zoom Earth
Vanuatu’s national disaster management office has issued a red alert for TAFEA province as a tropical cyclone hovers near the province.
Tropical Cyclone Urmil formed southwest of Port Vila on Friday.
It has now been upgraded to a Category 2 according to the Fiji Meteorological Service.
“At 5am local time, 28 February, analysis put this cyclone at 20 degrees South, 169.9 degree East, and that is roughly south east of Tanna island in the TAFEA province,” according to the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazard Department’s Tropical Cyclone Supervisor, Jerry Timothy.
TAFEA province is made up of the islands of Tanna, Aneityum, Futuna, Erromango and Aniwa.
Timothy said the cyclone moved into the TAFEA province from the West, from the Western side of the island group, there.
“Most probably the first island, Erromango hasn’t that much of the cyclone, maybe to the west of the island, but Tanna, which is the island in the middle, the tropical cyclone came very close to the south of the island, moving to the south,” he said.
The latest cyclone warning bulletin from the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazard Department said damaging gale force winds of 90km/h will continue to affect Tafea Province today.
It said heavy rainfalls with flash flooding are expected over low lying areas and areas close to river banks, including coastal flooding over TAFEA today. Very rough seas with heavy to phenomenal swells are expected over the area mention above.
A marine strong wind warning is also current for central and southern waters of Vanuatu. High Seas wind warning is also current for all open waters of Vanuatu. People, including sea going vessels are advised to take precautions.
Jerry Timothy said people can expect wind gusts of up to 105km/h.
Communities on Tanna island were preparing for a night of heavy weather as Tropical cyclone Urmil passed close-by.
Mora Kapum of White Grass Ocean Resort in Lenakel told RNZ Pacific that there was heavy rain and strong winds last night, leading to some minor flooding.
She said there is no serious damage there but there is a lot of cleaning up today, and it’s still very windy.
Red alert
When a RED ALERT is issued, you need to stay in a safe shelter:
- Stay tuned and informed through Radio, TV, SMS, or Internet
- Turn off all gas and electricity and unplug all electrical items from the sockets
- Stay in the strongest and safest part of your house or the evacuation centre and do not go outside
- Stay away from doors and windows and keep them closed and locked
- Remain indoors or in safe place and continue to listen to the radio and do not go outside until National Disaster Management Office issues the ‘ALL CLEAR’ after the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazard Department cancels the cyclone warning for your area.
- Take care to avoid dangers caused by fallen powerlines, trees, damaged building and other debris
- Support your family and neighbours especially the most vulnerable in your community
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
