Port Hedland Reopens Following Impact of Tropical Cyclone Zelia
Port Hedland in Western Australia reopened after Tropical Cyclone Zelia passed. The cyclone, classified as a category five, hit the Pilbara region, causing temporary port closures. Inspections confirmed safe operations, with minimal damage reported by major mining companies BHP and Fortescue.
Port Hedland, situated in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, has officially reopened following the impact of Tropical Cyclone Zelia, which struck the area on Friday. The port’s operator, Pilbara Ports, confirmed the reopening late on Saturday after being temporarily closed on Wednesday due to the cyclone’s approach. Port Hedland, recognized as the world’s largest iron ore export hub, had undergone thorough inspections to ensure safe operations could recommence.
After Zelia, categorized as a category five cyclone, made landfall near Port Hedland, the storm brought heavy rainfall and wind gusts peaking at 290 kilometers per hour. Fortunately, the storm weakened to a category four as it moved south, mitigating its destructive potential on the town’s population. By Saturday, Zelia had diminished to a tropical low, moving inland without primarily damaging surrounding areas.
Complementing Port Hedland’s reopening, nearby ports such as Dampier and Varanus Island had also resumed operations. Major mining companies, including BHP Group, Fortescue, and Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting, use Port Hedland for iron ore exports. Fortescue reported minimal cyclone-related damages at its operational sites, while BHP confirmed no major damages at its facilities.
In summary, Port Hedland has reopened after Tropical Cyclone Zelia, with inspections confirming safe navigation for vessels. Though the cyclone initially posed a severe risk, the impact was less destructive than anticipated. Local ports are resuming operations, and major mining corporations report minimal damage, indicating a return to normalcy in the vital iron ore supply chain.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
