Mexico prepares as Tropical Storm Erick gains strength off its Pacific Coast

Mexican authorities have implemented precautionary measures as Tropical Storm Erick gains strength off the country's Pacific Coast where it is expected to make landfall as a hurricane later this week, the head of the civil protection agency said Tuesday.

"We are coordinating with local authorities to carry out all preventive activities to ensure the safety of the citizens of Chiapas, Oaxaca and Guerrero," Laura Velazquez told a presidential press conference.

Mexico's civil protection expects Erick to make landfall on the Pacific coast as a category 2 hurricane later this week, she added.

The storm is located almost 700 km (435 miles) off Punta Maldonado, in the Mexican state of Guerrero, the US National Hurricane Center said in a statement.

"Erick expected to become a hurricane on Wednesday while approaching the coasts of Oaxaca and Guerrero Mexico," the NHC said on its latest report, adding that a hurricane watch is in effect in the country's touristy coast from Huatulco to Punta Maldonado.