Heavy rain

The Cuban weather service said the downpours would last until Saturday afternoon, bringing more than 20cm (8in) of rain to some places.

Western and central areas of the country, including Havana, are the worst affected.

Hurricane Agatha hit Mexico last Monday, killing nine people.

Nearly 2,000 people have evacuated their homes in Havana, and around 50,000 people in and around the city are without electricity.

Evacuation centres have been prepared to shelter people from the rain, the state-affiliated Cuban News Agency reported.

Conditions were rapidly deteriorating by mid-afternoon on Wednesday as the effects of an east-coast low, which caused deadly floods in Queensland and northern NSW, hit the state's capital.

The Bureau of Meteorology's Dean Narramore said catchments already drenched by weeks of consistent rain were being bombarded with 50 to 100mm of fresh downpours, and it was expected to continue into the morning.

"A dangerous situation is evolving," he warned.

Local media reports the downpour has caused flooding that has also damaged homes and bridges.

This has prompted calls for the authorities to open evacuation shelters after residents were ordered to leave the area.

A state emergency management official says the rains have led to the cresting of the Kaupakalua Dam on the island's northern region of Haiku.

Governor David Ige says evacuation shelters have opened at a community centre and a high school.

Severe weather warnings for rain, winds and flooding have been issued for coastal areas of the eastern state.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warned of "dangerous conditions" on Saturday and Sunday.

There has already been flooding in Sydney and other areas along the coast.

Friday was the wettest day recorded in well over a year in Sydney, where roads were closed and public transport delayed.

Other NSW towns faced flood waters as well, including Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour, where 280mm and 250mm of rain fell respectively.

A wide band of rain sweeping New South Wales (NSW) has put out 20 of about 60 fires in the state in the past day.

Authorities have welcomed the downpour, but warned of flash flooding in Sydney and other cities along the coast.

Some of the affected areas had received the most rain recorded in over a year, said the Bureau of Meteorology.

Australia's largest city, Sydney, recorded its wettest day in over 15 months on Friday. Many locals cheered on the downpour despite the inconvenience.

This is for all coastal waters of Southern PNG/Indonesian border through Torres Strait and Daru to Kiwai Island, Kerema, Yule Island, Hood Point and to Aroma Coast.

The warning also includes Long Island, Madang, Bogia, Wewak, Aitape, Vanimo and Northern PNG/Indonesian border to Manus and its western group of islands to West New Britain, Bismarck and Coral Sea.

“Strong northwest winds of 25/34 knots are expected to continue for the next 24 hours, causing rough seas and high sea waves.

Heavy rain, showers and thunderstorms causing flooding and landslides associated with the monsoon trough to be experienced in the coming days in some areas of Southern, Momase, Highlands and New Guinea Islands Region.

Heavy rains are forecasted to occur and persist over the areas mentioned within the next 18 to 24 hours causing flooding and landslides.

All affected communities and areas are asked to take the necessary precautions.

The NWS says: “Heavy rain, showers and occasional thunderstorms associated with the monsoon trough will be experienced thoughout the country.”

However, Western, Gulf, NCD/Central, Milne Bay, East/West New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville provinces are the main areas of concern.

These areas should expect heavy rain, severe flooding and landslides for the next couple of days.

“Heavy rains are forecasted to occur and persist over the areas mentioned within the next 24 hours.”

Salamaua LLG councillor Semi Wenis who assisted in evacuating his people to the main village is now in Lae to seek help from appropriate authorities.

He said since Friday, villagers have been affected by the disaster.

The primary school is under water  and classes have been suspended.

The area is known for the Kamiali conservation and it is also affected.

Cr Wenis said while villagers have been moved to  higher  grounds it is still not safe because of heavy rains still experienced in most parts of the province.

Ignacio has grown to a Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of up to 140 mph. Forecasters at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said conditions are right for it to continue strengthening Saturday, but upper-level winds will weaken the storm in the following days.