Northern Australia on alert as tropical cyclone Lam intensifies into storm

The final preparations for the arrival of tropical cyclone Lam in town of Nhulunbuy have been made. The population of 1,500 people in the town has made shelters and is prepared to flee out of homes if required. Tourists have cancelled their plans and the ones enjoying the sun in northern parts of Australia have abandoned the area as well. The category 2 cyclone Lam is expected to hit Nhulunbuy by Thursday and possibly as a category 4 storm.

Currently moving at a speed of 140-145kmph, tropical cyclone Lam is likely to intensify and make a landfall. Heavy rain of more than 300 mm is expected to begin from Thursday evening followed by possible flooding later in the week. The lowland areas are expected to be battered by flooding.

Heavy rain though has started its havoc in town of Nhulunbuy and other parts of North Australia. While the town is inundated by rain, Cape Wessel in the northeast has already received rainfall of over 190 mm, the heaviest for the area in last two decades.

Tropical cyclone Lam originated in Coral Sea as a weak low pressure system and moved over Queensland Peninsula.