Heavy rain

In one of the deadliest incidents, at least nine people died when a temple collapsed in the state's capital, Shimla.

Officials fear more people may still be trapped beneath the rubble.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods in the hill state.

Hundreds of roads have been closed and parts of the Kalka-Shimla railway have washed away.

Mr Sukha posted on X about a flash flood and cloudburst - a sudden, very heavy fall of rain - that had occurred in other parts of the state, in which 14 people had died.

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.

Rescuers were seen using their hands to dig up the ground and retrieve bodies, local television showed, and authorities said more victims could be trapped inside the debris. Rescuers were also shown carrying the injured through narrow lanes on makeshift stretchers.

Within the last 24 hours authorities have so far reported 11 incidents of houses or walls collapsing in the Mumbai area, officials said.

In one neighbourhood about half a dozen shacks located at the base of a hill collapsed on top of each other, officials said.

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.

The severe weather is associated with an active convergence.

The latest weather bulletin warns of heavy downpours with poor visibility, strong gusty winds, foggy and slippery roads over mountain passes and ranges.

Motorists can expect pooling near roadsides and waterways.

Rivers will likely overflow and there could be landslides.

Strong currents as well as very rough seas with wind waves and swells increasing up to 2.5-3 metres are expected in marine waters.

Photo supplied Samoa Met Division

An active convergence zone is expected to bring heavy rain, flooding and landslides.

Strong gusts and thunderstorms will likely cause marine swells of 2.5 meters.

People are advised to keep away from riverways and exposed coastal areas.

Photo Samoa LTA/Facebook 

The Samoa Meteorology Division said flood risk is high for all catchments and rivers and there could be landslides.

Heavy rain yesterday caused parts of the Apia CBD to be flooded for the second time in less than a month.

Motorists were stranded as some passes were washed away while others were only accessible to high vehicles.

The Land Transport Authority has been monitoring the situation and has kept the public regularly informed of the status of the roads and crossings.

River banks have burst and police are now blocking people trying to enter the town where most streets are under water.

According to RNZ Pacific, Apia resident, Georgina Newton, said it's worse than the flooding experienced in Cyclone Evan eight years ago.

People who are already in town, probably went there this morning, before the flooding started will be stuck in town."

"We have a store in town and it's flooding and my Mum is actually in there stuck, she can't get out. Every single store in town must be flooded by now."

The system will continue to bring periods of heavy rain and strong gusty winds, high combined waves and swells, flooding to all major rivers and vulnerable locations.

“Heavy downpours with poor visibility, gusty winds, foggy and slippery roads over mountain passes and ranges, pooling near roadsides and waterways.

“Very rough seas and high surf, with possible coastal flooding to exposed locations. High potential for river over flows and landslides,” the latest weather report said.

Tropical Cyclone Zazu currently remains a Category 2 system at 2am (local time)