Washington, Aug. 16 (SANA)Hurricane Lala approached the southern end of Hawaii’s Big Island on Sunday, threateningheavy rain, strong winds and dangerousfloodingas the Category 1 storm moved closer to the U.S. state.

The National Hurricane Center said Lala had strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of about 120 kilometers per hour, and warned of dangerous surf along coastal areas.

The hurricane was approaching the Big Island, whiletropical stormwarnings remained in effect for Hawaii’s seven other main islands.

Authorities warned that heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding and dangerous mudflows, particularly in rugged terrain. More than 20,000 households across the state lost power as the storm approached.

Direct hurricane strikes on Hawaii are rare. If Lala makes landfall on the Big Island as forecast, it would become the third hurricane to strike the state in modern history, after Hurricane Dot in 1959 and Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

A strong El Niño event has contributed to warmer waters across the tropical Pacific this year, increasing conditions favorable for hurricane development. Scientists expect a more active-than-usual hurricane season in the region.