Strong winds, flood warning

PEOPLE living in coastal areas have been urged to take precautions for strong winds, high tides with large waves and possible flooding after a tropical cyclone developed off the Queensland coast early yesterday.
According to a statement from the National Disaster Centre, tropical cyclone Niran was formed as a result of tropical low off the northern Queensland coast and was moving slowly northeast, but may drift to the west today.
Gulf, Central and Milne Bay can expect continuous strong winds for the next few days due to the movement of Niran.
The centre described the intensity of the cyclone as category one with sustained winds at 85km per hour and wind gusts to 120km per hour.
“Within 30km of 15.3 degrees South, 147.7 degrees East, 643km south of Port Moresby and 609km southwest of Alotau,” it said.
“The cyclone is expected to continue moving slowly to the northeast today, before drifting back slowly to the west this evening (yesterday) into Wednesday (today).
“Niran is expected to continue intensifying over the next day or two.”
Several flood warnings are current for inland Western, Central, Milne Bay, Madang, and East and West New Britain.
Abnormal high tides and large waves might cause minor flooding near the foreshore.
People likely to be affected should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.
A coastal crossing by the core of the cyclone is not expected, however, gales might develop early today if the cyclone adopts a track further to the west.
In the longer term, the system is expected to take a southeasterly track away from the coast from tomorrow.
Kerema and Alotau are warned to expect gales (strong winds) with gusts of up 100km per hour today.
Heavy rainfall has eased along the north tropical coast, but might redevelop today.