Tropical cyclone Maila: Huge category 4 system may impact regions recovering from cyclone Narelle
Areas in Australia’s far north still recovering from the blow caused by cyclone Narelle in March have been warned to brace for another major weather event in the coming days.
Tropical cyclone Malia is gaining momentum off the coast of Papua New Guinea and is expected to reach Australian shores as a category 2-4 system this weekend or early next week.
As tropical cyclone Maila approaches Queensland over the Solomon Sea, weather experts predict its behavior is likely to change rapidly due to changes in temperatures over very warm waters.
The slow-moving nature of the massive cyclone makes it difficult for forecasters to determine its landing area and intensity, but everyone agrees that the event will be accompanied by heavy rains of up to 200 mm-300 mm per day and dangerous winds of up to 260 km per hour.
“Tropical cyclones need something to move them,” Bureau of Meteorology Senior Meteorologist Liam Smart said. ABC.
“Normally there are winds directing from the east or west, but in this case there are none.”
Predictions are for a potential crossover somewhere between Cooktown and Cairns, but the range extends from Townsville to Cape York, after which it could reoccur as far as the Gulf of Carpentaria and possibly even into the Northern Territory.
“We are predicting a category two transition at this stage, but that is still quite a ways off and subject to change,” Mr Smart said as the system moves west towards the Coral Sea.
“There is still some uncertainty as to where exactly it will pass.”
Concerns about communities still trying to rebuild after hurricane Narelle have re-emerged after a top forecaster said they could be in the line of fire once again.
“There is a moderate chance that the system will re-intensify in the Gulf of Carpentaria later in the forecast period,” said BOM Senior Meteorologist Jonathan How. news.com.au.
Mr How said there was an “increasing chance” that cyclone Maila would pass around Cooktown and the Lockhart River, near where tropical cyclone Narelle hit last month.
“Communities in these areas could suffer from destructive winds as well as heavy rains, flooding and coastal erosion,” How said.
“Communities in these areas may suffer from destructive winds as well as heavy rainfall, flooding and coastal erosion.” Mr. How said.
Meanwhile, a second hurricane is threatening to devastate New Zealand, with urgent warnings from the government.
Tropical cyclone Vaianu is expected to hit New Zealand this weekend and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is advising residents to take immediate action.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said agencies were “fully aware” of the weather system.
“This is shaping up to be a very significant and damaging weather event and I think this is a great opportunity to remind New Zealanders to do everything they can, especially as it has a major impact on the North Island on Sunday,” Mr Luxon said.
“Stock up, line up their supplies, tie up any items that might be loose in their backyard, and put them in secure storage.”
