New cyclone lashes Australia
AUSTRALIA: Torrential rain and high winds lashed Darwin yesterday as
a new tropical cyclone bore down on Australia’s north, just two weeks
after a top-strength storm caused massive destruction.
Schools and a major airport were closed as Tropical Cyclone Carlos
formed off the far-flung northern city, which was hit by floods and
downed power lines during a night of extreme weather. Public broadcaster
ABC said streets were flooded, while one house and an ambulance were
crushed by falling trees. The weather bureau said some Darwin suburbs
received up to 350 millimetres (14 inches) of rain in 24 hours.
Carlos was measured at category one on a scale of one to five.
It was expected to peak at category two Thursday as it slowly circles
away from Darwin and heads south-west, skimming the sparsely inhabited
coastline. Residents of Darwin, which has a population of about 120,000
and was largely rebuilt after being devastated by Cyclone Tracy in 1974,
were warned to secure belongings and make plans to evacuate if their
homes are not cyclone-proof.
The Bureau of Meteorology said winds were already gusting at up to
110 kilometres (68 miles) per hour and were expected to reach 130
kilometres, while Carlos would also bring abnormally high tides and some
coastal flooding.
Sydney, Wednesday,AFP
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