Tropical storm Ophelia strengthens enroute to Caribbean

Mexico's National Meteorological Service (SMN) warned people across the southern states of Oaxaca, Chiapas as well as on the Yucatan peninsula and in Tabasco state on the Gulf coast should be alert to the heavy rains expected later after Tropical storm Hilary formed off the Pacific coast of Chiapas.

By noon local time, Ophelia was moving in westward direction over the Atlantic with maximum sustained winds up to 95 km per hour from 75 km per hour in the morning. It is expected to reach the outlying Caribbean islands of Barbados and Dominica by Saturday before approaching Puerto Rico late Sunday, said the NHC.

"Some gradual strengthening is possible during the next day or so," said the Miami-based NHC in its latest report, adding Ophelia is moving westwards at 20 km per hour and expected to increase its speed when it gets closer to the land.

The NHC still forecasts at least three to five major storms or hurricanes to be formed in the next two months before the end of November. A tropical storm becomes a Category 1 hurricane once sustained maximum winds reach 119 km per hour.

Even though Ophelia hasn't caused any danger right now, people across Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean remain alert to the prospects of more rains as the region already has received much heavier rainfall than normal at this time of the year; Kazinform cites Xinhua.

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