Tropical Cyclone Rita has been downgraded to a category one storm as it continues to track towards Vanuatu.
A satellite image of Cyclone Rita taken on 24 November, 2019. Photo: NASA (public domain)
At 6:19pm Vanuatu time on Tuesday, the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department said the cyclone was about 205km northeast of Pentecost, moving in a southerly direction 11km per hour.
Having reached category three strength on Monday night, the cyclone's wind speeds had slowed in the latest warning.
Sustained winds close to the storm's centre are estimated at 75km/hour.
Gale force winds gusting to 105km/hour are forecast to continue in Penama province overnight, but the winds are expected to weaken.
Gusts of 80km/hour over parts of Torba, Penama, Sanma and Malampa provinces may continue tonight, but are also expected to weaken.
Isolated heavy rainfall is expected over parts of northern and central islands but warnings about flash floods were not included in the latest forecast.
The red alert issued by the National Disaster Management Office for Penama province has been lowered to a yellow alert.
Yellow alerts issued for other provinces have been rescinded.
The storm could, however, strengthen and people are advised not to go out to sea until the system has moved out of the area.
