Team forced to flee remote island

KERMADEC – Tropical Cyclone Pam has forced a scientific team on board the navy’s HMZS Wellington to cut short its mission to the Kermadec Islands.

The scientists have been studying underwater volcanoes and wildlife in the region in New Zealand’s most northern territorial waters.

TV One News reporter Renee Graham is onboard the offshore patrol vessel, which is picking up some Department of Conservation volunteers from Raoul Island.

Graham says the cyclone has been upgraded to a category four which means wind gusts of more than 190 kilometres an hour and sea swells of between six and 18 metres are expected in the area, especially around Raoul Island.

The navy has been working with the scientists to deep dive an unmanned submarine, but it has been pulled from the water because of the deteriorating conditions.

Graham says the ship is expected to return to Auckland on Saturday, six days earlier than scheduled.

The Pacific Rugby Challenge is keeping a close watch on the approaching cyclone.

It’s a six team tournament being hosted by Fiji, with all the matches being played in Suva.

Tournament director Sale Sorovaki says Cyclone Pam has been factored into his planning with all team managers alerted of the possibility of the weather deteriorating.

New Caledonia is not yet directly affected by this phenomenon, the Nouvelle Caledonia newspaper reports – but the authorities nevertheless advise New Caledonians to stay informed in the coming days. Pam is expected to be 250 km east of Maré on Saturday morning.