Tropical Cyclone Alfred could inundate 20,000 houses in Australia's Brisbane

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Tropical Cyclone Alfred could inundate some 20,000 houses in the Australian city of Brisbane alone, authorities warned on Tuesday.

Over 4 million people are in the firing line of the cyclone as it tracks towards the southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales (NSW) coast, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Brisbane City Council warned that about 20,000 homes in Brisbane alone are at risk of storm surge and flooding impacts associated with the system.

"Properties could experience anything from mild inundation in their yards to significant flooding in their homes," Brisbane's Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

The storm surge is expected to peak on Thursday.

Police and emergency services have begun doorknocking in low-lying areas along southeast Queensland's coastline.

With the category two system forecast to maintain its intensity, the cyclone is likely to make landfall late Thursday or early Friday morning.

"The cyclone has firmed, and all of the information does show that this is something we need to take seriously," Queensland's Premier David Crisafulli said.