A tropical cyclone packing winds of up to 137 mph lashed Australia’s remote north-eastern coast today, a month after another storm left thousands in the region homeless.

Residents in remote north-eastern Australia are braced for the onslaught of a tropical cyclone today, bearing winds of up to 137mph, a month after another storm left thousands in the region homeless.

A plane carrying 18 passengers crashed in bad weather in Australia’s remote north, probably killing all on board, rescue authorities said today.