Cyclone Lola intensifies to Category 3 in South Pacific according to Joint Typhoon Warning Centre based in Hawaii
Tropical Cyclone Lola is currently intensifying and has reached Severe Category 3 status in the South Pacific. The cyclone is expected to impact Vanuatu today and continue into Tuesday.
According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), there is a potential for Lola to reach Severe Category 4 status by Tuesday afternoon, which could bring even more severe weather conditions to the region.
As of the latest forecast, the storm is projected to make landfall in Vanuatu on Tuesday afternoon and continue through Wednesday morning. Residents and authorities in the affected areas should stay updated with the latest weather advisories and take necessary precautions.
Looking ahead, by late in the coming week, Cyclone Lola is expected to approach New Caledonia, albeit with weakening intensity. It is likely to lose its cyclone status by the upcoming weekend as it continues to move south towards New Zealand, where it will encounter cooler waters.
In Solomon Islands, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has released important information regarding actions to take in response to the tropical cyclone. This information is specifically relevant to Temotu Province.
TROPICAL CYCLONE WHAT TO DO INFORMATION
FOLLOWING THE ISSUANCE OF TROPICAL CYCLONE (LOLA) WARNING NUMBER FOUR BY THE SOLOMON ISLAND METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE (SIMS) AT 8:00 AM THIS MORNING, MONDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2023.
THE NEOC IS ISSUING THIS TROPICAL CYCLONE WHAT TO DO INFORMATION ANDIS CURRENT FOR TEMOTU PROVINCE
PEOPLE ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THIS TROPICAL CYCLONE WHAT TO DO INFORMATION SERIOUSLY.
RECOMMENDED SAFETY ACTIONS:
1. UPON HEARING THE WARNING
þ MAKE SURE YOUR NEIGHBOURS AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE RECEIVED THIS ADVICE
þ STORE DRINKING WATER IN SEALED PLASTIC CONTAINERS AS WATER SUPPLY MAY BE INTERRUPTED OR CONTAMINATED
þ BATTEN DOWN ROOF AND TIE DOWN ALL LOOSE OBJECTS IN THE HOUSE
þ IF YOU LIVE IN A FLOOD-PRONE AREA TAKE FLOOD PRECAUTIONS
þ ENSURE ALL THE MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY ARE PRESENT
þ KEEP CHILDREN AWAY FROM SWOLLEN DRAINS AND WATERWAYS
þ HAVE ALL YOUR IMPORTANT ITEMS SAFELY SECURE WITH YOU (MEDICAL CARDS, MEDICINES, ETC)
þ IF YOUR HOUSE IS NOT STRUCTURALLY SAFE, PREPARE TO MOVE TO THE NEAREST EVACUATION CENTRE.
2. DURING THE TROPICAL CYCLONE
þ OPEN WINDOWS FROM WIND TO REDUCE THE PULL FORCE OF THE WIND ON THE ROOF
þ REMAIN CALM, STAY INDOORS BUT CLEAR OF DOORS AND WINDOWS. REMAIN IN THE STRONGEST PART OF THE BUILDING OR STRONGHOLD
þ DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRAVEL AT SEA
þ ONLY USE THE TELEPHONE OR HF RADIO FOR VERY URGENT CALLS.
3. AFTER THE TROPICAL CYCLONE HAS PASSED
þ DO NOT GO OUTSIDE UNTIL SAFETY ADVICE IS OFFICIALLY ISSUED
þ DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRAVEL AT SEA AS THE SEA WILL BE ROUGH STILL AND WINDS WILL BE STRONG
þ DON’T ALLOW CHILDREN TO ROAM AROUND OUTSIDE
þ BEWARE OF DAMAGED BUILDING, FALLEN TREES OR FLOODED WATER WAYS
þ LISTEN TO YOUR RADIO FOR ADVICE AND UPDATES
þ CHECK FOR GAS LEAKS AND DO NOT USE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES IF WET (IF YOU HAVE THEM IN POSSESSION).
4. SPECIFIC FOR THE VILLAGE LEADERS
þ VILLAGE LEADERS IN TEMOTU PROVINCE ARE ADVISED TO ACTIVATE THEIR EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS WHEN NECESSARY.
PEOPLE ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO LISTEN TO SIBC AND OTHER FM RADIO STATIONS FOR ANY LATEST UPDATE ON THE SITUATION.
THIS TROPICAL CYCLONE WHAT TO DO INFORMATION IS CURRENT UNTIL A CANCELLATION OF THE TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING IS ISSUED BY THE SI METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES.
PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND ASSISSTANCE
Please visit www.met.gov.sb, Call NDMO (955) SIMS (933), Police (999) Marine Search and Rescue (977) or Fire (988) or
Visit your nearest Provincial Emergency Operation Centres or your nearest police station, or Email:NEOC@ndmo.gov.sb