Cyclone Rita Photo: Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department
Vanuatu's Torba province remains on Red Alert as Cyclone Rita continues to churn through open water to the north of the country.
The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department said as of this afternoon the category 1 storm was about 345km northeast of the northern island of Sola.
Cyclone Rita is moving slowly east-southeast with sustained winds of around 75km an hour. Winds are expected to strengthen shortly to include gusts of up to 105 km/hr.
It is forecast to intensify in the next two days before weakening on Thursday.
On its current path the storm will not make landfall but move south between Vanuatu and Fiji.
From tonight, Cyclone Rita is expected to bring damaging gale force winds and very rough seas to Torba province.
By tomorrow, it is expected to affect Sanma and Penama provinces.
Authorities have advised people to avoid going out to sea until the storm moves out of the area.
