Ida which was reported to be a tropical storm is gaining strength to become a hurricane, forcing Nicaraguan authorities to issue a hurricane watch for the public living on the coast towns of Nicaragua like Cruz de Rio Grando and Kukra Hills.

Ida was first reported on the afternoon of 4th November, and the centre of the tropical storm was located about 100 kilometers off the main port of Nicaragua – Bluefield.

The tropical storm’s speed is estimated to be around 7~9mph. With this speed it is expected to hit Nicaragua on Thursday night. Intensity of a storm is measured by”maximum sustained winds”. The measure of maximum sustained winds associated with Ida is 60~65mph.

Meteorologists keeping an eye on the tropical storm Ida have observed the storm gaining the strength in its wake.

The path of the storm cannot be predicted with 100% accuracy, however Nicaraguan authorities taking precautionary measures have started to shift the population of Laguna de Perlas, Cruz de Rio Grando and Kukra Hills towns to makeshift shelters.

Ida is the ninth tropical storm this season and is expected to quickly lose its strength once it strikes the land. However heavy winds and raining remains a threat to the local population and can result in the flooding in the mountainous regions of Nicaragua and nearby countries especially Costa Rica and Honduras.

Meanwhile the hurricane watch has been lifted from the Colombian islands.

If the storm does not hit the cities and remains over the sea, it is being seen as having a positive effect on the environment.

Tropical Storm Ida