Tropical cyclones have always been part of life for many people in northern Australia, but climate pollution is making them more intense and destructive. It is critical that we understand that such disasters are no longer simply “natural”.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle has made landfall in far north Queensland, bringing destructive winds and powerful storm surges.

It has since been downgraded to a category three as it moves west toward the Gulf of Carpentaria but is still producing gusts up to 200km/h.