SUVA, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A man from Vanuatu's Pentecost island was killed after being hit by a falling tree, as cyclone Hola battered the island country, local media reported on Friday.
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has also received reports that two other locals on Malekula had sustained minor injuries.
The NDMO has confirmed that Cyclone Hola had caused significant damage to buildings and agricultural crops on Malekula, Vanuatu Daily Post news reported on Friday.
NDMO said Vanuatu was faced with communication problems to get reports on the extent of the damage on the affected islands.
Cyclone Hola has also damaged houses with traditional thatch roofs, trees and agricultural crops on other islands in Malampa including Ambrym, Penama and the Shepherd Islands, according to reports of NDMO.
Locals on Epi, Paama and Ambae had reported fallen trees and crops in gardens such as bananas and pawpaws, continuous rainfall, strong winds and swells along the coast.
Photos on social media showed a damaged Digicel communication tower at northeast Malekula, and the roof of school buildings at Raon on Ambrym, Ranwadi (Pentecost) and Norsup (Malekula) blown off.
Digicel chief executive officer (CEO) Yaser Maher said despite the damage to the mobile phone tower at northeast Malekula, other towers on the island were still providing coverage.
The Ministry of Education and Training has instructed all schools in Shefa and Malampa to remain closed until NDMO issued a directive.
Tropical Cyclone Hola was upgraded to category 4 by 2:00 p.m. Thursday local time.
It was moving in a south-southwest direction and was predicted to leave the country's territory after Friday.
Damaging gale force winds and rough to phenomenal seas and swells will continue to affect Sanma, Penama and Tafea, the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazard Department said.
Heavy rainfall, thunderstorm and flash flooding over low lying areas and areas close to river banks including coastal flooding are expected to continue to affect these provinces.
