Pakistan, Oct. 11 -- Hurricane Simon intensified into a powerful Category 4 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday, threatening destructive winds, coastal flooding and dangerous rainfall. The storm could bring life-threatening conditions as it approaches land late Saturday or early Sunday. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) urged residents to complete preparations and protect lives and property.

On Saturday morning, Simon was about 115 miles (185 kilometres) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph). The hurricane was moving northward, and forecasters said further strengthening remained possible before landfall. Authorities issued a hurricane warning for parts of the Pacific coast ...