Tropical cyclone RUBY downgraded to a tropical storm, as it made landfall over northern Grande Terre (the largest island of New Caledonia), with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h. On 14 December at 0.00 UTC, its centre was located on land, in central-eastern Grande Terre, about 35 km south of Poindimie City, with maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h.
Strong winds and heavy rain is affecting Grande Terre. A number of people have been sheltered in reception centres, while various roads are impassable. Households across several Municipalities are experiencing power outages and shortages of water supply.
RUBY is forecast to weaken as it moves southwards over Grande Terre and will enter the Coral Sea on the morning of 14 December.
A level 2 hurricane alert is in effect for New Caledonia, as heavy rain and strong winds will affect most of the islands on 14 December. On 15-16 December, light to locally moderate rain is expected over southern New Caledonia.
Source : ReliefWeb
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