DHAKA: Cyclone Pam has intensified as it hits Vanuatu, with dozens feared dead in the outer islands.

The category five storm landed in Vanuatu on Friday bringing flooding and evacuation orders, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says.

'There were no official reports of deaths or injuries, however according to an unconfirmed report 44 people died in Penama Province (northeast of Vanuatu),' it said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop told reporters on Saturday morning that Australia has a crisis response team ready to go and assist the Pacific Islands. 

While an estimated 3,000 Australians are in Vanuatu, Ms Bishops says there are no reports of concerns about their welfare. 

Australian Red Cross has made an appeal on Twitter, saying that Cyclone Pam caused 'unbelievable destruction'.

'Humanitarian needs will be enormous. Many people have lost their homes. Shelter, food and water urgent priorities,' Australian Red Cross tweeted. 

'Tens of thousands of people seeking safety in safe buildings and caves across Vanuatu.'

Sune Gudnitz of the UNOCHA told AFP: 'We could see some loss of life, potentially serious loss but we don't know yet.' 

Unicef spokeswoman Alice Clements told Radio New Zealand the cyclone was '15-30 minutes of absolute terror' for 'everybody in this country' as it passed over.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

BDST: 1214 HRS, MAR 14, 2015