North Queensland braces for potential cyclone as tropical low 12U threatens heavy rain, floods, and strong winds

North Queensland is on high alert as a tropical low system threatens to escalate into a cyclone, bringing torrential rain, gusty winds, and rising flood risks across the region. Tropical Low 12U, currently a couple of hundred kilometres northeast of Cairns, has a 60 percent chance of developing into a cyclone, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

According to 9News website, authorities are warning of widespread rainfall between 100mm and 200mm, with isolated pockets receiving up to 400mm, and wind gusts reaching 80-100 km/h, heightening the threat to communities already under flood warnings.

"We've seen the rain already pick up well south of that around the Mackay-Central Coast area where we're seeing widespread rain develop there," Dean Narramore from BOM said, according to 9News website.


"And that rain will continue to develop to the north as we move through today and tonight, as that low gets closer."

BOM forecaster Dean Narramore warned that ongoing flood warnings between Cairns and Townsville could worsen, with additional rainfall expected to cause widespread river level rises.

Authorities have issued warnings for the stretch from Port Douglas to Airlie Beach, including key towns such as Cairns, Innisfail, Townsville, Bowen, and Proserpine.

A serious connectivity issue in Townsville is complicating response efforts as the storm approaches.

Premier David Crisafulli condemned the theft of a copper line in Deeragun, saying it endangered lives and promising strict action, emphasizing that "telecommunications are life and death."