Vanuatu's cabinet is holding an emergency meeting today to discuss escalating activity at the country's most active volcano.
Prime Minister Jotham Napat said activity at Manaro volcano was rising, with Penama province preparing evacuation plans for a possible eruption.
"The National Disaster Management Office is also on site, closely monitoring the volcanic activity and assessing the situation," the office of the prime minister said in a post to Facebook.
"Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and be prepared to evacuate if necessary."
The volcano was at alert level 3, indicating a minor volcanic eruption, and was emitting ash and sulphur dioxide.
An exclusion zone was in place for 3km around the volcano's crater.
The 2017-2018 eruption of the volcano caused the entire island of 11,000 inhabitants to be evacuated.
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