Islands brace for cyclone

THE Cocos (Keeling) Islands are preparing for a tropical cyclone to hit as the system moves towards Western Australia this weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Mangga was expected to bring heavy rain and possible gales of up to 100km/h to the islands in the Indian Ocean late yesterday.

The category one system, with winds near the centre of 65km/h, is heading southeast and is due to pass west of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

The cyclone will continue in that direction and is expected to bring severe weather to western parts of the state tomorrow and Monday.