Forecasters says Tropical Cyclone Meena is building in strength as it moves east to the southwest of Suwarrow in the northern Cook Islands.
The Tropical Cyclone Centre in Nadi, Fiji, says the storm now has
sustained winds of 120 kilometres per hour around the eye, increasing to 140 kilometres per hour within the next 12 hours.
A gale warning remains in force for Suwarrow along with heavy rain, thunderstorms, rough seas and sea flooding of coastal areas is expected.
A strong wind warning has been issued for the rest of the northern Cooks, including rough seas and heavy swells about Nassau and Pukapuka.
