RNZ Pacific cyclone watch service is operating

RNZ Pacific has updated the on-air frequencies for its cyclone watch service for the 2023-2024 cyclone season.

The cyclone watch service was activated early this year due to tropical cyclone Lola which devastated parts of Vanuatu in October 2023.

Once cyclone alerts are issued, RNZ Pacific will broadcast hourly updates of these bulletins if necessary, and whenever the situation changes. These will be heard either just before the top of each hour or following news bulletins at the top of each hour.

The broadcaster says it will do its best to keep people informed of all-weather updates on-air and online, with the information supplied by the Fiji Meteorological Service and the New Zealand MetService.

In addition, RNZ can access weather bulletins from the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, and Tonga Meteorological Offices.

The Wellington-based broadcaster says that it will also strive to obtain damage reports from local authorities, non-governmental agencies active in the field and people affected by the weather events.

You can also follow RNZ on X – formerly Twitter – @RNZPacific and on @RNZPacific Facebook.

​Image: Chief Ben Lovo and his family of Bongkil Village on Erromango, Vanuatu. He says shortwave broadcasts from RNZ Pacific’s cyclone watch service during Cyclone Pam allowed him to warn four villages. 

Photo: RNZI/Koroi Hawkins