The Cook Islands are again being threatened by a tropical cyclone.

Cyclone Sarah is sitting just off the coast of the island Palmerston, it is set to bring gale force winds, thunder, and heavy rain, a strong wind warning is also in place. Fiji’s Met Service says it will not be as intense as Cyclone Pat, which whacked Aitutaki two weeks ago.

Sarah is still only a Category One cyclone, and is unlikely to get much stronger than a Category Two storm and is not expected to be as intense as Cyclone Pat.

Meanwhile an Air Force relief mission with supplies for a remote part of the northern Cook Islands is back on track, after being delayed by the cyclone warning. A RNZAF Hercules left Rarotonga for Penryhn Atoll at midday, carrying emergency food and medical supplies.

Squadron leader Kavae Tamariki says another trip is planned for tomorrow, with a generator and emergency building supplies.

– NEWSTALK ZB