Australia’s Cyclone Hits Queensland

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BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA (GaeaTimes.com)- It seems the worst is not yet over for the state of Queensland in Australia. After reeling under the onslaught of extensive flooding that had almost paralyzed normal life, residents of the state had to brace themselves for Cyclone Yasi which struck Queensland on early Thursday morning. Soon after the cyclone hit regions all across the state with wind speed of 186 miles per hour, houses in many parts were completely damaged while power lines were snapped with most of the regions going without electricity.

According to weather officials, Cyclone Yasi is likely to result in huge tidal surges with the threat of extensive destruction looming large on the seaside towns. Despite the fact that the initial impact of the cyclone in Australia was not as dreadful as predicted by forecasters, nevertheless, it literally pulled apart thousands of houses in the towns that lay in the path of Cyclone Yasi. At the same time, a variety of crops including banana and sugar cane have suffered monumental destruction while power supply to an estimated 180,000 houses has been completely disrupted. The storm is further going to accentuate the woes of the Queensland which is still grappling to come to terms with the destruction that the recent flooding has caused almost all over the state.

While talking to reporters, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said that the government is intending to meet the damages bill from the federal budget but noted that it would surely mean cut-backs from other sectors. Despite the huge destruction caused by Cyclone Yasi, no reports of serious injuries of death has been available as yet.