Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt says Tropical Cyclone Megan is currently sitting at a category 3 but could become category 4 when it reaches land.
The cyclone is expected to track through Borroloola in the Northern Territory, which not only risks damaging infrastructure but to also cause some serious flooding.
“Late yesterday we also approved a request from the Northern Territory Government to activate the ADF to assist with evacuations. There is some concern that not only could there be damage from the cyclone itself in terms of wind gusts to homes in Borroloola, but also there is a risk of some pretty serious flooding,” Watt told ABC Radio National.
Tropical Cyclone Megan is due to hit land later today.Credit: Bureau of Meteorology
“Potentially up to 800 people could be evacuated to Darwin, to keep them safe from this cyclone and the Northern Territory Government is in the process of managing that right now.”
Going forward, Watt said it was important for the public and private industries to focus more on mitigation strategies when it comes to natural disasters.
“I certainly think that it’s important, for starters, that we do invest much more as a country in mitigation or preparedness for natural disasters. We’re already seeing the increasing number and frequency and intensity of these disasters, and importantly, the increasing costs that arises from them,” he said.
“I think it’s important that we move to a culture where new developments are undertaken in a much more resilient manner than they have been in the past.”