After residents were allowed to return to Ambae Island, Manaro Voui once again began erupting with heavy ashfalls on the island in late March 2018; Volcanic Alert Level 3 was instituted on 19 March. The ashfalls were severe enough, but coupled with rains, made the ash heavy and wet enough that roofs collapsed and even tree limbs were brought down by the weight of the heavy, wet ash. By April, around 750 residents out of 13,000 had been rendered homeless by the volcanic ash and landslides, and Vanuatu government declared a mandatory evacuation, which was met with resistance. The ashfall decreased over the following months, but the eruption picked up again in July. 16 July saw a heavy ashfall, prompting people to use umbrellas and turn on artificial lightning in late afternoon. All schools on Ambae were closed the following week. The government proclaimed a state of emergency, and called for an immediate evacuation of all Ambae residents to Maewo Island.