Cyclone Narelle stirred up vast amounts of dust on March 27th, turning the skies over Western Australia an intense red color.
Dust Storm Turns Skies Red
On Friday, March 27th, a cyclone lifted large quantities of dust into the air, limiting sunlight. This caused the sky over Western Australia to take on an intensely red hue, a phenomenon captured in social media recordings.
LNG Production Disrupted
Although Cyclone Narelle has weakened and is moving away from the Australian coast, it continues to impact the country’s weather. On Saturday, March 28th, the cyclone led to disruptions in production at Australia’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, according to Reuters.
Australia’s Role in Global LNG Market
Australia has become the world’s second-largest LNG exporter after Qatar halted production due to Iranian attacks that damaged its infrastructure. Deliveries of LNG from the Middle East were also disrupted by Iran’s announced blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The United States remains the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas.
Cyclone Narelle Damage and Compensation
Cyclone Narelle brought heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong winds to Western Australia. Residents whose homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable may receive up to four thousand dollars in compensation.