The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has warned of a potential severe impact as Queensland faces a second tropical cyclone in little more than a month following Cyclone Jasper, due to make landfall on Tuesday.
According to Bloomberg News, last month’s Cyclone Jasper caused destructive flooding and winds, and was described as an “insurance catastrophe” by the Insurance Council of Australia. The state is the nation’s biggest producer of sugar and has a large resources industry. A tropical low started to develop late last week, and meteorologists estimated it to intensify by Monday.
Steven Miles, the Queensland premier, has urged residents of parts of the state to be prepared for an incoming cyclone following warnings from the BoM. Felim Hanniffy, senior meteorologist at the BoM, said models suggested the system could “form into a severe tropical cyclone” with “wind gusts in excess of 165km/h,” but that major uncertainties about whether it would cross Queensland’s coast and, if so, when, remained. The bureau said it could become a category three system or even stronger before hitting land.
On a separate note, the Northern Territory is dealing with continued threats of flooding, prompting evacuations in parts of the state, after homes were inundated.
Despite expectations of a below-average cyclone season due to El Niño, the nation is experiencing unusual weather patterns with prolonged heavy rains damaging homes and crops. Australia’s cyclone season typically spans from November to April.
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