Cyclone Alert Issued for Northern Australia
Communities across Australia's Top End are being advised to prepare for a potential lockdown as meteorological authorities warn a tropical low is highly likely to develop into a cyclone. The system, identified as Tropical Low 02U, was tracked north-west of Darwin over the Timor Sea on Tuesday, moving in an east and north-easterly direction.
The Bureau of Meteorology has indicated the low is expected to turn south, and subsequently south-west, potentially making its way towards the Northern Territory's coastline by late Thursday. Environmental conditions are currently favourable for the system's development, with the risk of it intensifying into a full tropical cyclone increasing as the week progresses.
Heavy Rains and Unusual Timing
The region is already experiencing severe weather, with parts of the Top End being battered by heavy rain and thunderstorms in recent days. Charles Point recorded a deluge of 196mm within just three hours on Monday, contributing to a 24-hour total of 228mm. This marks the area's heaviest daily rainfall in a decade.
Should Tropical Low 02U develop into a cyclone, it would be a rare event for November. Only four tropical cyclones have made landfall on the Australian mainland in November since records began. The most recent was Tropical Cyclone Alessia in 2013, preceded by Severe Tropical Cyclone Quenton in 1983, Severe Tropical Cyclone Ines in 1973, and the historic 'Broome Cyclone' (Tropical Cyclone 01U) in 1910.
Urgent Calls for Preparedness
Predicting the weather system's precise path and ultimate strength remains challenging. The Bureau of Meteorology has consequently urged residents across the western and northern Top End to closely monitor weather forecasts and warnings.
It is critically important for those in the potential firing line to begin their preparations immediately. Authorities are stressing that households and businesses must ensure they have a robust emergency plan in place, including supplies and a clear course of action should the situation escalate.
