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Strong 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits Vanuatu
A strong 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck near Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila, damaging buildings and other infrastructure.
The quake happened at 12:47 local time (01:47 GMT) at a depth of 57.1km, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
It briefly triggered a tsunami alert for parts of the Pacific island nation, but officials said as of 14:14 local time that the threat had passed.
The extent of damage remains unclear, but there are unconfirmed reports of at least one death.
Dan McGarry, a journalist living in Port Vila, said police at the Vila Central Hospital told him that one person has died.
Posting on X, McGarry said he saw three people “seriously injured” on hospital gurneys awaiting treatment. The earthquake was the “biggest one I’ve seen in 20+ years,” he added.
Footage on social media shows collapsed buildings, cars hit by fallen panels and furniture strewn on floors inside homes. Residents are reporting patchy communications.
The US embassy in Port Vila is among the damaged buildings, according to photographs posted online. US officials said the building sustained “considerable damage” and will be closed until further notice.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this earthquake and the US government will work with closely with our partners in Vanuatu,” the embassy in Papua New Guinea said in a statement.
Michael Thompson, director of the Vanuatu Jungle Zipline adventure company, told AFP news agency that he saw bodies lying in the streets.
“There’s multiple buildings that have come down around town. There’s a big rescue operation on the way to clear out people who are possibly alive in the building,” Mr Thompson said, in a separate video posted to Facebook.
“Most of the communications have gone.”
USGS reported at least four aftershocks around Port Vila – with magnitudes ranging from 4.7 to 5.5 – in the two hours after the first earthquake.
Authorities in neighbouring New Zealand and Australia said there was no tsunami threat for their countries.
Australia also said it “stands ready to support Vanuatu as the extent of the damage is assessed”.
“Vanuatu is family and we will always be there in times of need,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong wrote on X.
Vanuatu, a low-lying archipelago of some 80 islands, is located in a seismically active area and susceptible to frequent large earthquakes and other natural disasters.
[BBC]
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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya
The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours commencing at 1200hrs today [08]
Accordingly
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in the Matale District, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Meegahakiwula, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Lunugala, Badulla, Passara, Uva Paranagama and Hali_Ela in the Badulla District, Ambanganga Korale in the Matale District, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.
Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026
The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.
It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].
Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).
For the Land area:
DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.
Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.
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