Cyclone Rita has been upgraded to a category two storm as it travels through waters north of Vanuatu.
This afternoon Cyclone Rita was located about 330km northeast of the northern island of Sola.
The storm is moving in a south-southeasterly direction, packing winds of 110km/hr, gusting up to 160km/hr.
Cyclone Rita is forecast to head into open water between Vanuatu and Fiji.
Photo: Vanuatu Met Service
However the National Disaster Management Office in Port Vila has issued a Red Alert for Torba and a Yellow Alert for Penama and Sanma provinces.
People have been advised not to go out on the water as very rough to phenomenal seas are expected over northern waters.
Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding over low lying areas, river banks and coastal flooding is also expected to affect the provinces.
The Vanuatu Met Service projects Cyclone Rita to strengthen before weakening again by late Tuesday night.
