People in the Vanuatu province of Tafea are bracing for a direct hit from cyclone Pam early Saturday morning.
The latest cyclone warning from the Vanuatu Meterological Service says the category five system is currently in the northern part of the country moving south-south-west at 16 km/hr with 230 kilometre winds at its centre.
Tafea province councillor Joe Mete is on Tanna island he says locals are aware of the seriousness of their situation with the supercyclone approaching and are doing their best to be prepared for its arrival.
"What else can we do? It is a natural disaster and this one is very destructive and very powerful. I think people will just do what they can to protect themselves and the only thing is people are praying for whatever comes, but yeah."
Joe Mete says apart from permanent building structures there are cave systems on Tanna and Erremango that people may use to shelter from the worst of the storm.
