SYDNEY: Cyclone Koji crossed the far northeast coast of Australia on Sunday (Jan 11) and was downgraded to a tropical storm, however authorities warned of damaging winds and doable flooding.
Koji, a class one cyclone, crossed the coast between the cities of Ayr and Bowen within the state of Queensland, about 500km north of state capital Brisbane.
Koji has “weakened beneath tropical cyclone depth”, the nation’s climate forecaster mentioned on its web site.
It mentioned the system was now a tropical low, bringing wind gusts of as much as 95kmh and heavy rainfall between the cities of Ayr and Mackay, a vacationer hub and gateway to the Nice Barrier Reef.
Koji might nonetheless spark “harmful and life-threatening flash flooding” within the area, the climate bureau mentioned.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mentioned Koji was “anticipated to convey massive quantities of rainfall to coastal areas of north Queensland and doubtlessly inland areas”.
“Flash flooding is a serious threat alongside a major stretch of Queensland’s coast,” Albanese mentioned in televised remarks.
Queensland state Premier David Crisafulli mentioned the cyclone had already introduced rainfall of as much as 200mm to some areas in a single day and was anticipated to end in heavy downpours over the following 24 to 48 hours.
“I do imagine that individuals have ready brilliantly for the rain that may come,” Crisafulli mentioned on social media platform X.
Townsville Airport, which closed on Saturday as a precaution, mentioned on Fb that it deliberate to reopen on Sunday “if security and climate circumstances permit”.
Koji’s method comes after the state was hit in March by Alfred, a downgraded tropical cyclone, introduced damaging winds and heavy rains, chopping energy to tons of of 1000’s.
