Severe tropical cyclone Jasper in now a category 3 storm Photo: The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service
Severe tropical cyclone Jasper has strengthened to a category 3 storm overnight.
A tropical cyclone warning is in place across Solomon Islands - a red alert for most provinces and an amber/orange alert for Temotu Province.
At 5pm on Thursday, December 7, local time, the country's Meteorological Service said in its latest update that Jasper is moving slowly south-southwest towards the waters southwest of Rennel Island and intensifying.
Flooding is expected in communities living close to large rivers, streams, and low-lying areas.
Drivers are advised to use extreme caution when on the roads and are warned not to attempt crossing rivers and large streams of unknown depth.
People have been asked to consider safety and discouraged from traveling out to sea during the bad weather.
Gale-force winds and heavy rain are expected in most provinces.
For more information can be found on the Solomon Islands Government Meterological Devision website.
Meanwhile, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said severe tropical cyclone Jasper may go as high as category 5.
The Australian Bureau said Jasper is forecast to reach high-end category 4 intensity later on Thursday, and possibly a category 5 on Thursday night.
It said over the weekend Jasper is likely to weaken but will remain as a tropical cyclone next week.
