SYDNEY, March 19, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - About 700 people were stranded in far
northern Australia Tuesday after a tropical cyclone barrelled through their
remote community, cutting off links with the rest of the country.

The Australian Defence Force tried to evacuate residents of the small
Northern Territory community of Borroloola, but attempts to land aircraft
Monday were hampered by wild weather.

Residents were urged to find shelter in the community as the cyclone hit on
Monday afternoon.

The Category 3 storm pummelled the area with heavy rainfall and intense winds
of around 170-200 kilometres (100-125 miles) per hour, according to the
Bureau of Meteorology.

"Poor weather prevented evacuations yesterday, but we expect new deployment
will occur today," said Emergency Minister Murray Watt.

Ex-tropical cyclone Megan has now been downgraded to a tropical low as winds
have eased, but heavy rains continue as the storm system moves inland.