The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) stated that this year’s cyclone season was not only one of the quietest on record, it also became a major test of the country’s digital resilience.
For the first time, VMGD forecasters successfully managed cyclone monitoring and warning operations outside their main forecast office in Port Vila during Tropical Cyclone Vaianu, relying heavily on ICT systems and remote coordination to keep critical weather services running.
Officials say the operation demonstrated how innovation and communication technology are becoming increasingly important in disaster preparedness and emergency response across Vanuatu.
The 2025–2026 tropical cyclone season officially ended with only two named cyclones recorded across the South Pacific basin, tying the 1990–1991 season as the least active on record.
But despite the low cyclone activity, VMGD says one of the season’s biggest achievements came during Tropical Cyclone Vaianu in April.
As the system developed, Acting Manager of Forecasting, Jerry Timothy, and members of the forecast team were deployed from Ambae before relocating to Santo, where they continued weather operations from temporary facilities at the Indigenous Motel.
Using remote forecasting systems, internet communications, and ICT support, the team continued issuing warnings, forecast tracks and public advisories away from the main weather station in Port Vila.
Mr. Timothy said the experience proved that critical weather services can still operate during emergencies, even when staff are displaced or working outside normal headquarters.
He named it, the Operational Resilience.
“When the system was named further up north, it was hard for the team to fly back to Port Vila. So, we managed to get to a charter flight and get to Santo,” said Timothy.
“This is a history for VMGD, for the first time we were able to monitor a tropical cyclone outside of Port Vila. The whole team was stationed at the Indigenous Motel and every information on TC Vaianu through media and our (VMGD) website, was from the team in Santo that was monitoring that tropical cyclone.”
Mr. Timothy praised the VMGD’s Information and Communication & Technology (ICT) team, stating that while the season was quiet, preparedness, communication systems and operational resilience remained a top priority throughout the period.
“Big thank you to the ICT team of VMGD. That shows that we are mature and can operate anywhere,” said Timothy.
“This operation was the first of its kind and this has tested our capability on how we can operate outside from the weather forecasting centre.”
During Cyclone Urmil in February, VMGD issued multiple advisories, warnings, forecast tracks and SMS alerts to keep the public informed.
For Cyclone Vaianu in April, the department also released several information bulletins, forecast updates and mobile alerts as the system intensified into a Category Three cyclone.
Officials say the successful use of ICT and remote forecasting during Cyclone Vaianu marks an important step toward building a more resilient and adaptable weather service for Vanuatu.
