7 Jan 2005

Vanuatu seen worst of Cyclone Kerry

4:22 pm on 7 January 2005

The Vanuatu Meteorological Service says the country may have already seen the worst of Cyclone Kerry.

The cyclone formed early yesterday and has mainly affected the northern islands of Vanuatu.

Duty Forcaster, Joe Mala says it is currently 74 kilometres west of the island of Malekula.

Mr Mala says once Cyclone Kerry hit Pentecost and Maewo overnight it weakened.

"Last night Kerry came across the islands so what happens is because of the interaction of the islands it weakens the cyclone. However now it is over the open seas and it may regain its intensity over the next 6 to 12 hours but then it continues to move away from Vanuatu."

Mr Mala says because of communication problems there have been no reports of damage so far although more information will be available tomorrow.

He says Vanuatu will still have heavy rain and strong winds over the next 24 hours, possibly resulting in flooding of some areas.