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Tropical Cyclone Pam turns deadly in Vanuatu

Xinhua, March 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

Tropical Cyclone Pam turned deadly in Vanuatu on Saturday as at least four deaths were confirmed in the capital of Port Vila.

About 40,000 people live in the capital.

Aurelia Balpe, Fiji-based head of delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Pacific, confirmed that as of Saturday night local time, at least four people lost their lives in Port Vila as a result of the cyclone, and the federation was doing everything possible to help those in need.

"We're very concerned about people's safety...We're very also concerned about people's shelter, water and food needs. We're anticipating that a lot of people are without shelter now, and food is already starting to run out because shops are being closed for a couple of days, and water is going to be a major issue," Balpe told Xinhua.

"We're working around the clock to get more supplies to Vanuatu- we have supplies on a plane leaving Auckland tomorrow (Sunday)... Tomorrow we're looking at starting with setting up the water supply purification unit in Vanuatu," she said.

Shelter, water, food and first aid are urgent priorities and the Vanuatu Red Cross is working closely with local authorities and other stakeholders to support the government-led response, according to the federation.

Images of local media reports show that after Tropical Cyclone Pam passed, downed power lines, uprooted trees and blown roofs were scattered on Port Vila's streets.

There are reports on dozens of deaths in Vanuatu's Penama Province, where the cyclone made its landfall, but the country's National Disaster Management Office could not immediately confirm those reports as communication with northern provinces was down.

Tropical Cyclone Pam, category 5, was believed to have generated gusts of up to 330 kilometers per hour, and the gales extended some 380 kilometers from the storm center.

Leaving Port Vila, the cyclone kept moving south at around 30 kilometers per hour, according to the Fiji Meteorological Service. Endi