Hurricane Harold intensifies with the arrival of the Vanuatu archipelago in the Pacific.

A hurricane heading towards Vanuatu in the South Pacific has increased to the fifth degree, which is the highest in terms of hurricane strength, leaving devastating winds and “enormous” waves, meteorologists said Monday.

The strength of Hurricane Harold, which resulted in the death of five people and the loss of 22 in Solomon Islands, was strengthened last weekend, Sunday night as it headed east, according to meteorological services in Vanuatu.

The speed of profit reached 235 km per hour, and the authorities put several governorates under a state of alert in this country of 80 islands that stretched around 1,300 km.

The authorities warned residents of the risk of floods and asked boats to remain in the ports.

Hurricane Harold is expected to arrive Tuesday morning in the north of the capital, Port Vila.