Flooding and landslides have hammered Samoa, as tropical cyclone Gita sits off the nation's southern coast and continues to strengthen.

Gita, which has been upgraded to a category 2 cyclone, also brought heavy rain, strong winds and flooding to parts of Samoa's easterly neighbour, American Samoa.

The nation's disaster management office said around 200 people were in evacuation centres. 

In American Samoa, Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga made an emergency declaration, saying it was likely the territory would ask for assistance from the United States.

Gita is expected to veer south‑east towards Niue this afternoon, where it would pass close to the island's east coast.

From there, the cyclone is forecast to complete a westward arc, heading towards Tonga's main island, Tongatapu, on Monday.

Source: Stuff.co