Cyclone Kirrily to make landfall in northeast Australia

In this satellite image provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency/Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the potential cyclone Kirrily is shown off Australia's east coast Wednesday, Jan 24, 2024. A tropical low strengthening over the Coral Sea is finally expected to become a tropical cyclone later on Wednesday, days after it was first expected to appear off the northern coast of Australia. (Japan Meteorological Agency via AP)

SYDNEY: A powerful category three cyclone is expected to make landfall in northeastern Australia late on Thursday (Jan 25), lashing cities along Queensland's Great Barrier Reef coast.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Kirrily packed winds of more than 160kph winds as it barrelled toward Townsville's 180,000 residents.