New Caledonia's weather centre has pre-warned the public as Tropical Cyclone Hola draws closer to the Pacific archipelago.

The storm is also expected to affect the Loyalty Islands; first Ouvéa at 14:00 UTC, Lifou and Tiga at 17:00 UTC and finally Maré at 20:00 UTC on 09 March 2018.

Cyclone Hola is currently a Category 4 storm and is expected to eventually reach Category 5 strength, according to the Met Office in Fiji.

The cyclone has brought rainfall exceeding 200 mm (8 inches) across northern Vanuatu and is currently generating strong winds estimated at 165 km/h gusting up to 230 km at its centre and is expected to continue moving south-west strengthening on 08 and 09 March.

Additional downpours are expected across central and northern Vanuatu on 09 March.

It is expected that tropical Cyclone Hola will also bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to parts of Vanuatu and New Caledonia on 10 March and continue until 12 March.