The cyclone “Mitchell” causes the closure of strategic ports in Australia.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has announced that Tropical Cyclone Mitchell continues to intensify as it moves toward the northwest of the country, threatening the remote region of Pilbara, which is home to the Port Hedland export terminal, the largest iron ore export center in the world.
The Pilbara Ports Authority has reported the closure of Port Hedland and several nearby ports, including Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier, and Varanus Island, due to the cyclone approaching the west coast of Australia.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Mitchell has strengthened to Category 3, with winds reaching up to 195 km/h. Authorities have warned that such cyclones are likely to cause significant damage to buildings, crops, and trees, as well as possible power outages.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology expects the cyclone to make landfall within the next few hours, between the cities of Exmouth and Onslow on the coast of Western Australia.
