Back-to-back earthquakes hit Vanuatu as it braces for second hurricane

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Back-to-back earthquakes have rattled Vanuatu as the country braces for its second major tropical cyclone in as many days.

An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck 90 km from the city of Luganville in Vanuatu at 5:00 am today, with a second quake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale striking 114 km from the city at 6:30 am.

There were no immediate reports of any injuries from the quakes.

Two earthquakes and a cyclone hit Vanuatu. (Vanuatu Business Resilience Council) Another typhoon is scheduled to make landfall this weekend. (Vanuatu Business Resilience Council)

No tsunami warning was issued after the quakes, which struck 10 kilometers deep.

The Pacific island has been placed under a state of emergency for six months as various disasters sweep across the country.

It comes as Category 4 Hurricane Judy swept across the country leaving parts of the capital, Port Vila, without power for several days and many people in emergency evacuation centres.

Significant damage was reported in Al Tafia Governorate in the south of the country.

The damage caused by disasters has become evident. (Vanuatu Business Resilience Council)

The Vanuatu Business Resilience Council said it will work to provide support to the affected population.

“We will mobilize our network of private sector cargo vessels to support the government’s response to obtain urgent aid for the affected islands,” the group said.

A second hurricane is approaching the country, Hurricane Kevin, and is expected to make landfall this weekend.

It will intensify into a Category 4 on Saturday as it travels southeast.

The Office of Humanitarian Aid of the US Agency for International Development: “The island country located in the Pacific Ocean is still in the early stages of recovery from the effects of the previous hurricane that made landfall earlier this week.”

Hurricane Kevin will bring strong winds and heavy rain. (Vanuatu Business Resilience Council) Vanuatu has declared a state of emergency. (Vanuatu Business Resilience Council)

Approximately 400 mm of rain is expected as the hurricane makes landfall.

Damaging winds of up to 120 km/h are also expected with gusts of 185 km/h.

Weather emergencies have forced businesses and schools to close and airlines have canceled flights.

Located in eastern Australia and northern New Zealand, Vanuatu is home to about 300,000 people.

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