‘High chance’ of cyclone forming over flooded region
A tropical cyclone may form over northern flood-hit regions in days, while disease warnings are issued in across North Queensland.
Queensland is on edge as a tropical low with a high chance of becoming a cyclone could impact the flood-stricken coast.
Northern Queensland is deep into the clean-up from the weeks-long downpour that caused record-breaking flooding from Mackay to Cairns with two lives lost and hundreds evacuated from their inundated homes.
But tropical low 22U has formed about 400km northeast of Cairns and is expected to further develop in the Coral Sea over the next few days.
The Bureau of Meteorology‘s Jonathan How said there is no immediate threat to northern Queenslanders but the system has a high chance – 55 per cent – of becoming a tropical cyclone from Monday.
You might like
He said there is a range of possibilities over the next three days including the system moving further east towards New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
Or it could move south over the Coral Sea closer to the Queensland coast.
“This is something that a tropical cyclone team is monitoring very closely,” How said.
Meanwhile, Western Australia which is also recovering from extensive flood and wind damage caused by ex-tropical cyclone Zelia that swept over the Pilbara last week will not see the tropical low 21U impact the coast.
Stay informed, daily
How said the system still has a high chance of becoming a tropical cyclone from Saturday but will remain well offshore of Western Australia before weakening in the Indian Ocean next week.
“There is no threat to Western Australia or any offshore territories,” he said.
Another threat is looming in flood-hit areas like north Queensland after an elderly person died of melioidosis in Townsville while four other lives have been lost in Cairns from the disease.
The disease can occur when cuts or wounds come in contact with contaminated mud or water and when people breathe in muddy droplets.
The region has recorded 41 cases since January 1 with the disease holding a 20 per cent mortality rate in treated cases.
February 2025 is officially the wettest month in history for some north Queensland towns with Paluma near Townsville recording more than two metres of rain – double what Sydney receives in a year.
Melioidosis cases in Cairns are believed to have doubled compared to 2024 after heavy rain lashed the north for weeks, prompting a health warning.
Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing while skin infections or abscesses can be another sign.
To combat melioidosis infection, locals have been urged to wear gloves, shoes and protective clothing when cleaning up after the recent wet – but more may be on the way.
Meanwhile, an investigation is also under way after three new dengue virus cases were discovered from two adjacent houses in South Townsville.
