Tropical Storm Milton has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, with no landfall expected here, but heavy rains are expected along the Gulf coast and in the southeast of the country, the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) said on Sunday.

The storm is also expected to hit the Gulf coast with strong winds and high waves.

The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometres per hour with gusts up to 155 kilometres per hour and was moving east at 9 kilometres per hour, it said.

Milton came on the heels of Hurricane John, which struck Mexico’s Pacific coast, particularly the southern state of Guerrero, on 23 September, causing material damage to the region and surrounding areas.