SYDNEY, Dec 30 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- A tropical cyclone tracking towards the northern coast of Western Australia (WA) has grown in strength to a Category 4 storm, authorities said on Tuesday, reported Xinhua.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said in an alert issued in the early hours of Tuesday morning that Tropical Cyclone Hayley has been upgraded to a Category 4 system and is expected to bring severe impacts to the Kimberley region in northern WA later on Tuesday.
According to the BoM, the cyclone is likely at its peak strength and is expected to weaken to Category 3 before making landfall on Tuesday evening near Derby, a town of around 3,200 people over 1,800 km northeast of the state capital of Perth.
A warning issued for the area, including Derby, said that very destructive wind gusts up to 170 km per hour could develop from early in the afternoon.
Additionally, it said that heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding.
The WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services said there is a possible threat to lives and homes and that people must act immediately and prepare to take shelter.
--BERNAMA-XINHUA
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