11 Mar 2003

Latest on cyclones impacting on Pacific

5:08 pm on 11 March 2003

Weather forecasters say two cyclones in the Pacific region are strengthening.

Tropical cyclone Erica near Solomon Islands Rennell Island is expected to bring winds of 50 knots increasing to 65 knots in the next 24 hours.

The New Zealand Metservice say Erica is moving to the east south east and is likely to pass two hundred kilometres to the south of Rennell tonight.

Rennell was hit by Cyclone Beni in January.

Our correspondent in Honiara says there are reports of flooding in parts of the country.

Meanwhile Cyclone Eseta near Fiji is not likely to affect any islands over the next 24 hours.

However forecasters warn that it will bring winds of over 47 knots within 50 miles of its centre.