Severe crop damage on Malekula & Malo islands, Vanuatu from Cyclone Hola

[verticity]

This is not good:
Department blong Agriculture Vanuatu's Facebook post
(Follow the link for aerial photographs)
Quote:

"TC Hola aerial surveillance for NW. N. NE. E. SE. S and South West Bay Malekula.

General observations:
1. Severe crop damage to old coconut trees, mature banana, yam vines, cassava, island cabbage, sweet corn, kava, cocoa, and fruit trees;
2. High waterlogged soil in some areas may cause root rot and damages to tuber crops - cassava, sweet kumala, taro and yam;
3. Likelihood of pest and disease incidence.

Immediate actions:
1. Replanting of healthy/quality planting materials which weren't damaged by strong wind, salt spray, or flooding;
2. Harvest cassava, yam, banana, kumala, corn that were partly damaged and store in a safe dry place;
3. Prune kava stalks and damaged branches of cocoa and fruit trees;
4. Stake fallen yam vines;
5. Mobilize communities to supply local food and planting materials from unaffected areas to affected areas.

In summary, the most affected areas are:
1. NW. N. NE. & E Malekula;
2. S & SW Malo."
​

Malekula and Malo are just south of Santo and north of Efate (Port Vila)