AUCKLAND, April 6 (AFP) - A tropical cyclone, Sose, was declared Friday north of Vanuatu.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu said Sose, also known as TC 19P, was formed out of a two day old tropical storm and was centred in the southern Coral Sea, just north of Vanuatu.

"TC 19P should drift westward over the next 24 hours before showing a more southwestward track," the Center said, adding the storm will bring 3.6 metre (12 foot) high waves.

It is currently producing maximum sustained winds of 35 knots (64 kilometres per hour) with gusts to 45 knots (83 kph), the Center said.

The cyclone is projected to move towards New Caledonia and then down the Tasman Sea towards New Zealand.

mjf/ben AFP

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Received by NewsEdge Insight: 04/06/2001 01:55:22

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