Mining towns in north-western Australia were placed on alert Saturday as Cyclone Lua headed toward the coast between Port Hedland and Broome. Residents were told to expect heavy rain and winds up to 250 kilometres per hour from the category-four storm. It is the strongest cyclone of the year and could yet be upgraded to the maximum category-five. "Very destructive winds to 250 kilometres per hour are forecast near the cyclone centre as it crosses the coast with gusts to 180 kilometres per hour possible over the inland eastern Pilbara, including Marble Bar this evening," the Bureau of Meteorology was quoted as disclosing by DPA.
