This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-asia-pacific-17405085
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Cyclone Lua nears north-west Australia coast | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
A tropical cyclone is intensifying as it bears down on Western Australia's north-west coast, forecasters warn. | |
Severe tropical cyclone Lua - upgraded to a category four storm - is threatening communities with torrential rain and winds up to 160km/h (100mph). | |
It is expected to make landfall in the next few hours between Port Hedland and Broome. | |
Australia's main iron ore mines, located nearby, have been shut down and flights in the area cancelled. | |
"There is a threat to lives and homes. You are in danger and need to act immediately," Western Australian emergency officials said in a warning to residents in the sparsely populated Pilbara region. | |
The meteorology bureau also warned of a "very dangerous storm tide" in the area. | |
The small communities of Pardoo and Wallal are believed to be directly in the path of the cyclone and residents of those areas have been warned to seek shelter. | |
"Destructive winds to 160km/h are possible between Port Hedland and Bidyadanga extending to the inland eastern Pilbara later in the day," the bureau said. | |
"Very destructive winds up to 230km/h are forecast near the cyclone centre." | |
Upgraded | |
The last iron ore vessels able to leave Port Hedland before the storm arrived set sail on Friday morning. | |
Cyclone Lua has picked up speed as it travelled through the Indian Ocean. It was upgraded to a category three storm on Friday morning and then to a category four as it neared the coast - category five is the highest. | |
Australia's main iron ore terminals, which are some of the biggest in the world, are located around Port Hedland on the Pilbara coast. | Australia's main iron ore terminals, which are some of the biggest in the world, are located around Port Hedland on the Pilbara coast. |
Global Miners Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton both have major operations in the area and around 400m tonnes of iron ore passes through the ports each year. | Global Miners Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton both have major operations in the area and around 400m tonnes of iron ore passes through the ports each year. |
Australia's cyclone season typically runs from November to April and can affect oil and natural gas production, as well as mining and port operations. | Australia's cyclone season typically runs from November to April and can affect oil and natural gas production, as well as mining and port operations. |