<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>338773</docID> <postdate>2025-02-21 10:26:08</postdate> <headline>‘High chance’ of cyclone forming over flooded region</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-338774" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FNQ-flooding-e1740093787717.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" /></p> <caption>North Queensland is reeling from record rainfall that triggered flooding which claimed two lives. Photo: Jamie Hervey</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Savannah Meacham</strong> and <strong>Laine Clark</strong> in Brisbane</span></p> <p><strong>Western Australia can breathe a sigh of relief as a potential tropical cyclone is not a threat to the coast, one week after a category five system caused extensive damage.</strong></p> <p>But Queensland is on edge as a tropical low with a high chance of becoming a cyclone could impact the flood-stricken coast.</p> <p>Northern Queensland is deep into the clean-up from the weeks-long downpour that caused record-breaking flooding from Mackay to Cairns with two lives lost and hundreds evacuated from their inundated homes.</p> <p>But tropical low 22U has formed about 400km to the northeast of Cairns and is expected to further develop over the next few days in the Coral Sea.</p> <p>The Bureau of Meteorology's Jonathan How said there is no immediate threat to northern Queenslanders but the system has a high chance - 55 per cent - of becoming a tropical cyclone from Monday.</p> <p>He said there is a range of possibilities over the next three days including the system moving further east towards New Caledonia and Vanuatu.</p> <p>Or it could move south over the Coral Sea closer to the Queensland coast.</p> <p>"This is something that a tropical cyclone team is monitoring very closely," Mr How said.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Western Australia which is also recovering from extensive flood and wind damage caused by ex-tropical cyclone Zelia that swept over the Pilbara last week will not see the tropical low 21U impact the coast.</p> <p>Mr How said the system still has a high chance of becoming a tropical cyclone from Saturday but will remain well offshore of Western Australia before weakening in the Indian Ocean next week.</p> <p>"There is no threat to Western Australia or any offshore territories," he said.</p> <p>Another threat is looming in flood-hit areas like north Queensland after an elderly person died of melioidosis in Townsville while four other lives have been lost in Cairns from the disease.</p> <p>The disease can occur when cuts or wounds come in contact with contaminated mud or water and when people breathe in muddy droplets.</p> <p>The region has recorded 41 cases since January 1 with the disease holding a 20 per cent mortality rate in treated cases.</p> <p>February 2025 is officially the wettest month in history for some north Queensland towns with Paluma near Townsville recording more than two metres of rain - double what Sydney receives in a year.</p> <p>Melioidosis cases in Cairns are believed to have doubled compared to 2024 after heavy rain lashed the north for weeks, prompting a health warning.</p> <p>Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing while skin infections or abscesses can be another sign.</p> <p>To combat melioidosis infection, locals have been urged to wear gloves, shoes and protective clothing when cleaning up after the recent wet - but more may be on the way.</p> <p>Meanwhile, an investigation is also under way after three new dengue virus cases from two adjacent houses in South Townsville were discovered.</p> </body>