According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), as of 0900 UTC on 3 April 2020, Tropical Cyclone Harold was located approximately 930 km (580 mi) northwest of Port Vila, Vanuatu, and was moving east-southeast at 28 kph (17 mph). At that time, Harold was generating maximum sustained winds of 74 kph, with gusts of up to 93 kph. On its current path the storm is expected to cross over Vanuatu’s two largest islands, Espiritu Santo and Malakula, by 6 April, and could bring damaging winds and potential flooding. Additionally, heavy rainfall may also impact Efate Island, where the capital Port Vila is located. Harold is forecast to clear Vanuatu by 7 April, after which it is expected to gradually weaken as it tracks toward Fiji.
As the storm swept through the Solomon Islands during the early hours of 3 April, high seas reportedly washed several passengers aboard a ferry traveling to the port of West Are Are from Honiara overboard. Authorities stated that at least 60 people could be missing, although rescue efforts are ongoing. Flooding was reported across the Solomon Islands, and Australia donated approximately 60,000 U.S. dollars in emergency funding for recovery and relief efforts.
