The authorities in Mexico have deployed two thousand soldiers in remote areas of the Pacific coast state of Sinaloa to prepare for the approach of strong winds and torrential rain from Hurricane Madeline.

Thousands of residents and tourists at the resorts of Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan have been placed on standby to evacuate their homes and hotels.

Further north, forecasters say Hurricane Lester has changed course and is moving further up the coast towards Guerrero state.