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| Tropical Cyclone yet to intensify as it lingers off Queensland coast | |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| Weather bureau says category 2 system is about 930km north-east of Mackay | |
| A slow-moving tropical cyclone off north-east Australia is expected to linger in the Coral Sea for at least the next few days, but forecasters say there remains a risk the system could eventually turn towards the Queensland coast. | A slow-moving tropical cyclone off north-east Australia is expected to linger in the Coral Sea for at least the next few days, but forecasters say there remains a risk the system could eventually turn towards the Queensland coast. |
| The Bureau of Meteorology says category 2 Tropical Cyclone Alfred is about 930km north-east of Mackay, and is tracking slowly south through the Coral Sea. | The Bureau of Meteorology says category 2 Tropical Cyclone Alfred is about 930km north-east of Mackay, and is tracking slowly south through the Coral Sea. |
| It is forecast to intensify into a category 3 system over the next few days but remain well clear of land. | It is forecast to intensify into a category 3 system over the next few days but remain well clear of land. |
| But where the cyclone moves next – including potentially towards the central Queensland coast – remains “largely uncertain”. | But where the cyclone moves next – including potentially towards the central Queensland coast – remains “largely uncertain”. |
| “There is a chance that Alfred may be steered towards the Queensland coast, more likely as a weakening system … or it could continue moving southwards and remain off the Queensland coast,” the bureau’s cyclone update on Wednesday said. | “There is a chance that Alfred may be steered towards the Queensland coast, more likely as a weakening system … or it could continue moving southwards and remain off the Queensland coast,” the bureau’s cyclone update on Wednesday said. |
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| Dean Narramore, a senior meteorologist at the bureau, said the cyclone would “continue to remain well off the Queensland coast”. | Dean Narramore, a senior meteorologist at the bureau, said the cyclone would “continue to remain well off the Queensland coast”. |
| “It’s far enough off the coast to really have very little impact to the Queensland coast.” | “It’s far enough off the coast to really have very little impact to the Queensland coast.” |
| “Some of those scenarios have it heading closer towards the Queensland coast towards the weekend and early next week … still keeping it offshore but it does get pretty close,” Narramore said. | “Some of those scenarios have it heading closer towards the Queensland coast towards the weekend and early next week … still keeping it offshore but it does get pretty close,” Narramore said. |
| “There’s also a few other scenarios that have it heading farther south-east, further away from Queensland.” | “There’s also a few other scenarios that have it heading farther south-east, further away from Queensland.” |
| The bureau on Wednesday urged residents in central and south-east Queensland to stay updated with the latest forecasts and warnings as they track the cyclone’s progress. | The bureau on Wednesday urged residents in central and south-east Queensland to stay updated with the latest forecasts and warnings as they track the cyclone’s progress. |
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| Another update is due at 5pm on Wednesday. | Another update is due at 5pm on Wednesday. |
| Parts of north and central Queensland have already experienced several severe flooding events and record rainfall in 2025. | Parts of north and central Queensland have already experienced several severe flooding events and record rainfall in 2025. |
| As residents clean up, a “very alarming” rise in a deadly bacterial infection linked with heavy rain – melioidosis – has been detected in the north. | As residents clean up, a “very alarming” rise in a deadly bacterial infection linked with heavy rain – melioidosis – has been detected in the north. |
| There have been nine deaths and 53 cases in Cairns since January, with another three deaths in Townsville. | There have been nine deaths and 53 cases in Cairns since January, with another three deaths in Townsville. |
| Melioidosis is a wet season disease spread through contact with contaminated water, soil and air. | Melioidosis is a wet season disease spread through contact with contaminated water, soil and air. |