Brisbane: Millions of people along the eastern coast of Australia are steeling themselves against the wrath of Cyclone Alfred, which has been one of the most intense storms to challenge the region over the last 50 years. The cyclone, currently classified as a Category 1 system—similar in intensity to an Atlantic tropical storm—is projected to hit land Friday night or Saturday morning, possibly causing extensive devastation. As it approaches Brisbane, which has a population of about 2.5 million, fears of adverse weather are increasing.
As of Friday morning, Cyclone Alfred was about 195 km east of Brisbane, with a wind speed of 95 km/h, reported the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. The cyclone is continuing to move westward, producing dangerous sea conditions along the coast. The Gold Coast has already seen enormous waves of 12.3 meters, which seriously threaten coastal towns.
Administrators have given tight warnings, calling on individuals not to go anywhere near the shores. The Council of the City of Gold Coast has declared an imposing penalty of $10,000 (approximately 8.71 lakh INR) against individuals who ignore safety instructions. In northern NSW, meanwhile, intense winds and heavy rain showers have knocked off power for as many as 35,000 homes and companies. Swollen river levels also increased the chance of flooding there.
The NSW State Emergency Service also indicated it had taken over 1,800 emergency calls on Thursday alone, with a minimum of three flood rescue missions undertaken. The emergency response units are on red alert as the cyclone remains on course to hit the country, with residents being urged by officials to make all possible preparations to stay safe.
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