Tropical Cyclone Narelle is set to make landfall in Australia’s Northern Territory after wreaking havoc on the country’s northeast. Originally declared a category four storm, Narelle reduced to a category two as it moved inland, yet the threat of destructive winds up to 185 kph remains imminent.
Residents along the east are preparing for the worst as the cyclone moves swiftly westward across the Gulf of Carpentaria, the national weather bureau reported. Five hundred fifty kilometers north of Cairns, Narelle initially struck Queensland with fierce intensity, causing power outages and heavy rain.
This cyclone’s arrival follows closely behind Tropical Cyclone Fina, reviving distressing memories of the 1974 Cyclone Tracy disaster in Darwin. Tracy remains one of Australia’s most destructive natural events, having claimed 66 lives and leaving a significant mark on the region’s history.
(With inputs from agencies.)