On Tuesday, a densely populated area of Australia’s east coast braced itself for what might be the first tropical cyclone to hit the area in half a century.
Tropical Cyclone About 550 kilometers (340 miles) east of the large city of Brisbane, Alfred was circling. Later in the day, models indicated that it was heading towards the mainland.
According to forecaster Dean Narramore of the Bureau of Meteorology, the storm is expected to make landfall between the tourist destination of the Sunshine Coast and metropolitan Brisbane late Thursday or early Friday.
Narramore told AFP that it would be the first tropical storm to hit that region of Australia since 1974.
“It’s not record breaking but it’s definitely a little bit more unusual,” he said.
Some three million people live along the 100 kilometre (60 mile) stretch linking Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, a region known for its balmy weather and golden beaches.
Although cyclones frequently occur in Australia’s warm tropical oceans, they are uncommon in the densely inhabited regions farther south.
According to officials, the effect would also be felt in New South Wales’ flood-prone northern rivers region, which is located south of Brisbane.
Towns were advised to “be prepared for the worst” by Chris Minns, the premier of NJ.
Tom Mortlock, a climate expert, claimed that the storm was being fueled by abnormally warm sea surface temperatures.
“Tropical Cyclone Alfred is a reminder that tropical cyclones… can still track further south,” he said.
Researchers have repeatedly warned that climate change amplifies the risk of natural disasters such as bushfires, floods and cyclones.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a category two system, would lash the coast with “damaging” 120-kilometre (75-mile) per hour winds, official forecasts said.
There was also the risk of “dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding”.
A Women’s Professional Golf Association event and the Gold Coast Festival of Golf were cancelled due to the “impending impact”, organisers said on Tuesday.
Australia’s second-largest triathlon was also in doubt.
