FIFTH TROPICAL WATCH ADVICE ISSUED FOR SOLOMON ISLANDS
Heavy rain. Photo: blog.al.com
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service has issued its fifth Tropical Disturbance Watch Advice this afternoon.
The Watch Advice is current for Western, Guadalcanal, Central, Makira and Rennell Bellona Provinces.
The Met Office says at 11am this morning, a tropical depression with a central pressure of 998 Hectopascals was located approximately 80 nautical miles Southwest of Rennell Island.
It says the system is moving towards the South-Southwest at 0.6 knots and will further intensify within the next 12 to 18 hours.
The office says gale force winds of 34 to 47 knots are expected to develop over Rennell and Bellona, Southern parts of Western, Central, Guadalcanal and Makira provinces.
It advised people to take precautionary measures as bad weather associated with Tropical Depression poses threats to lives and properties.
Meanwhile, the Met Office has also issued a Heavy Rain Warning Number 12 at 7:30am this morning.
It says the Heavy Rain Warning is current for all provinces in the country.
The Met Office says a Tropical Depression of 999 hectopascals was re-located 47 nautical miles Southwest of Rennell Island and is moving South at 0.4 knots.
Associated rain and thunderstorms may continue to affect the Solomon Islands.
The Met Office says people living close to rivers, streams, and low-lying areas are strongly advised to take precautionary measures as flash flooding or flooding may pose a danger to lives and property.
It says Motorists are also advised to use extreme caution when traveling in these areas and never attempt to cross rivers and large streams of unknown depth.