Australia’s northern coast records maximum rainfall

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The tropical storm, previously classified as a cyclone, has downgraded to a tropical low on Tuesday, yet it continues to unleash significant rainfall and strong winds across the northern territory of Australia. As it moves westward through the inland regions of the territory in the ensuing days, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts its trajectory will persist.

Initially named Tropical Cyclone Megan, the system battered island communities for several days before making landfall near the secluded community of Borroloola, situated on the Gulf of Carpentaria’s southwestern edge, late on Monday. The weather authority had anticipated wind gusts reaching speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour (81 miles per hour) in the area, along with rainfall surpassing 200 millimeters (7.8 inches) within a 24-hour span.

The evacuation of approximately 700 Borroloola residents was called off due to the inability of aircraft to land in the adverse conditions. Instead, the community was advised to seek refuge in structures designed to endure the cyclone’s forceful winds. To support the recovery efforts starting Tuesday, Australian Defence Force members were prepared to assist, as confirmed by the Northern Territory Police.

Over the weekend, Groote Eylandt recorded an overwhelming 600 millimeters (23.6 inches) of rainfall, and the storm caused considerable damage by felling trees.

The cyclone season in Australia occurs during the Southern Hemisphere’s warmer months, stretching from November through April. Earlier in the season, Tropical Cyclone Jasper became the first to impact the region, affecting the northern coast of Queensland state in December. The following month, Tropical Cyclone Kirrily led to widespread power outages and inflicted damage with wind speeds reaching up to 170 kilometers per hour (106 miles per hour) in various communities and cities within the same area.

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