MEXICO CITY, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tropical storm Zeta intensified into a category 1 hurricane in the Caribbean as it approaches the coast of the southeast Mexican state of Quintana Roo, where it was expected to make landfall Monday evening, the National Meteorological Service (SMN) said.
In a special advisory, the general coordinator of the SMN, Jorge Zavala, said the center of Zeta was forecasted to make landfall near the tourist resort of Akumal, and the effects of wind and rain would be felt all along the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, home to Quintana Roo and neighboring Yucatan state.
Zeta grew into a category 1 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kph, According to the SMN.
The government of Quintana Roo called on residents and tourists in the northern part of the state to take shelter in houses and hotels from 4 p.m. local time (2100 GMT), in addition to suspending outdoor activities and maritime transportation.
Zeta is set to hit Quintana Roo about three weeks after category 2 Hurricane Delta battered the coast as it moved towards Yucatan, causing only minor damage due to falling trees. Enditem