CYCLONE Pam is now in the country.
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service at 7am on Wednesday issued cyclone warning warning number four for Temotu, Malaita, and Makira-Ulawa provinces.
At the same time, the office said a tropical cyclone watch advice remain in force for Rennell & Bellona, Central, Isabel, Western, and Choiseul provinces.
“Cyclone Pam is moving south-southeast at 4 knots with further intensification,” the Weather office said in its fourth cyclone warning issued at 7am on Wednesday.
Expected storm force winds of 48 to 63 knots, increasing to hurricane force winds of 63 and above was expected to develop over the eastern parts of Temotu province, especially Anuta and Tikopia on Wednesday.
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Gales force winds of up to 47 knots was expected to continue over the remaining Temotu islands and over Malaita and Makira provinces today.
Seas were expected to be rough to very rough with moderate to heavy swells over waters of Temotu, Makira and Northern Malaita waters.
Potential for inundation was also expected over coasts and low lying islands.
Cyclone Pam was forecasted to move southeast and south while intensifying to hurricane-strength over the next couple of days.
Meanwhile, the heavy rain warning remains in force for all of the country.
