Cyclone Mitchell Closes Strategic Ports in Western Australia

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell has intensified to a Category 3 storm as it approaches the northwestern coast of Australia, prompting local authorities to take precautionary measures and close several key ports, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

The meteorological agency reported that the Category 3 cyclone brings winds of up to 195 kilometers per hour, posing significant risks to infrastructure, farms, and homes. The storm could cause widespread power outages and damage to trees and crops across Australia.

Pilbara Ports Corporation announced the closure of the Port of Hedland, one of the world’s largest iron ore export hubs, along with nearby ports including Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier, and Finucane Island, as a precaution against the cyclone’s impact on maritime and logistical operations.

The cyclone is expected to make landfall in the coming hours between the towns of Exmouth and Onslow along the western coast, with warnings of expanded damage if it maintains its current intensity.

This post is also available in: العربية