Category 2 Cyclone Alfred To Hit Australia’s Gold Coast; Airlines Cancel Flights

Australian Cyclone Alfred is predicted to bring destructive winds, flash flooding, and widespread disruptions to northern New South Wales and Southeast Queensland. The intense Category 2 cyclone is predicted to hit the Gold Coast in the early hours of Friday, 7 March. This will be the first time the region will be directly hit by a cyclone in 50 years.

Cyclone Alfred Puts Brisbane And Gold Coast In Risk

On Wednesday, Cyclone Alfred was around 400 km offshore, travelling in a westerly direction with destructive winds up to 120 km/h. According to projections, the cyclone will intensify into a Category 3 system before reaching land in the region between Coolangatta and Maroochydore.

Highly populated cities like Brisbane and Queensland are in the cyclone’s path. Citizens of Brisbane and the suburbs are preparing themselves for the effects of the cyclone, with treacherous winds, heavy rain, and life-threatening floods warned by the authorities. Up to 20,000 houses in Brisbane could be affected.

As a measure, the government has supplied 250,000 sandbags and opened cyclone refuge centres. Schooling and public transport services have been halted, and non-emergency hospital operations have been deferred. Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia have cancelled flights in and out of the area as a precaution. Heavy rain, potential storm surges, and widespread flooding are expected to be generated by the cyclone.

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Warnings Issued as Millions Prepare for Impact

The government has requested individuals to stay indoors and respond to emergency notifications. Severe weather will result in power outages, traffic, and destruction of infrastructure, which will impact business and daily life. Emergency responders and shelters will be on standby to aid the flood victims. People are also urged to stock supplies and stay indoors.

As Cyclone Alfred prepares to make landfall, the next few days will be the test for Queensland and New South Wales communities. Emergency actions are in effect, but the real strength comes from being together, informed, and secure. This cyclone will cause massive damage, but the reaction of people will determine the path of recovery. The readiness and cooperation of the people during such testing times surely make a significant difference.

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Will this storm act as a wake-up call to more effective disaster management in the future?

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (For Representation)

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