Cyclone alert A tropical cyclone named Beni has formed in the South Pacific near the Solomon Islands, with winds of 64 km/h to 74 km/h at its centre.
The Fiji Meteorological Service yesterday put it about 600km east of Tikopia, which was badly battered by Cyclone Zoe over the New Year.
IfBeni follows the usual southeast path, Vanuatu and New Caledonia are likely to feel it in the next 36 hours.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Centre in Hawaii predicted Beni would move due south, which would take it to the west of New Caledonia, into the Tasman Sea and towards New Zealand.
If it takes a more easterly course, it could in a few days hit Fiji, which is still recovering from Cyclone Ami, which killed 14 people.
