Super Typhoon Sinlakua bears down on group of remote US islands in Pacific Ocean

A dangerous super typhoon in the Pacific Ocean is barrelling towards a group of remote US islands.

Power cuts on the islands could be lengthy, forecasters warned.

The tropical typhoon – the strongest on Earth so far this year – was producing sustained winds of 278km/h (173mph) on Monday as it neared the islands of Rota, Tinian and Saipan, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre.

While it is expected to weaken slightly over the next few days, Sinlaku should cross near the islands as a Category 4 or 5 typhoon.