As the rain starts getting heavier with wind speed picking up in Upolu and Savai’i, the Government has activated the National Emergency Operations Centre (N.E.O.C.) in anticipation of Tropical Cyclone Wasi’s arrival.

The category one cyclone is predicted to bring further bad weather for the nation on Saturday night and Sunday morning, after at least three separate low-pressure systems moved away from Samoa earlier this week.

But the Samoa Met Office has issued an official cyclone warning, which prompted the activation of the N.E.O.C., according to a statement from the Government.

“The activation of N.E.O.C. is part of Samoa’s National Emergency Response Plan as per the National Disaster Management Plan (N.D.M.P.) under the National Disaster and Emergency Act 2007,” the statement reads. “N.E.O.C. will take the lead on all national coordination and national response with strong collaboration from all Emergency Response Agencies.”

N.E.O.C. will be responsible for the following areas with respective functions:

• Planning – manage the collation and evaluation of disaster information and data to develop the N.E.O.C. SITREP and Incident Action Plan.

• Operations – Coordinate and manage the incidents in the field and assist in the formation of the Incident Action Plan of the N.E.O.C.

• Logistics – Responsible for obtaining and delivering resources as well as providing all logistics service and support functions for the incident and the N.E.O.C.

• Community Welfare – Coordinate with Evacuation Centre Activation and support with Sectors, Line Ministries and Village Response Teams

• Public Information Management, Safety and Legal Section - Responsible for the formulation and release of information about the incident to the public. Preparation of Legal Documents, Safety and security of the N.E.O.C and its Staff.

Tropical Depression 10F was upgraded to Cyclone Wasi at 2pm today.

According to the latest Special Weather Bulletin, if TC Wasi continues on its projected track it will relocate at about 85km (46nm) southwest of Tafitoala or 105 km (57nm) south southwest of Apia at 2 am Sunday morning.

Please direct all enquiries to the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) on telephone number 997.