By Elenoa Masi
Outgoing chair of the Pacific Meteorological Council and Director of the Vanuatu Meteorology and Hydrology Service, Levu Antfalo says the region’s weather services have never been better at producing warnings but the last, and hardest, stretch remains getting people to act on them.
The comment comes days after an inter-island ferry went down in rough seas in northern Vanuatu.
Vanuatu’s Prime Minister’s Office says one person is dead and more than 30 are missing after the MV Matui sank in rough seas between Santo and Ambae on 11 September. Investigations into the cause are continuing.
Antfalo said his service had issued warnings “three or four days prior” to the incident.
“It was hard for me, because although we did our part, we provide the science, giving the wind direction, wind speed, wave height. If there’s a warning in place and people do not take care of it, that’s a very sad example.”
He said there was currently no regulation preventing a vessel from sailing from one point to another once a warning was in force.
“All met services are improving in terms of warning. They’re doing their part. But whether people accept it, that’s where we need to work, so that they see the importance of the warnings we put up.”
Tonga is hosting the 8th Pacific Meteorological Meeting held from 10-14 September and the 4th Pacific Ministerial Meeting on 16-17 September.
A review presented to the Pacific Meteorological Council found that regional strategy on improving weather services to reach communities.
