New Caledonia has gone on pre-alert as a cyclone with winds gusting at up to 205 kilometres an hour approaches the island.
Tropical Cyclone Erica, which is still gathering strength, was about 500 kilometres north-west of the territory yesterday and is expected to reach New Caledonia on Friday if it maintains its present course and speed.
Meanwhile, a second cyclone named Eseta has turned into a marginal hurricane with winds gusting at up to 165 kilometres an hour.
Eseta is several hundred kilometres south west of Fiji and has caused flooding in south-western areas.
The Nadi river has burst its banks, flooding low-lying areas.
Disaster officials in the Kadavu group, about 80 kilometres south of Suva, have set up evacuation centres in community halls and churches to prepare for contingencies.
