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Sydney is pounded by a 'Bomb Cyclone' with high winds and heavy rains

The "bomb-cyclone" that hit Australia's largest state, with strong winds and heavy rains, forced airlines to cancel flights within the country and prompted evacuation warnings for coastal communities.

Authorities warned on Tuesday that the weather in parts of New South Wales would also worsen over the next 24 hour, with winds of up to 125 km/h (78mph) and up to 250mm (9.8 inch) of rainfall.

Jihad Dib, Minister of Emergency Services, said that the size and scope of the system is "enormous".

He said at a press conference held on Tuesday that the situation would worsen in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Residents in areas at risk of coastal erosion are being warned to evacuate their homes. Minor flood warnings have also been issued for a number of communities along the Mid North Coast.

The Sydney Airport website shows that Qantas Airways has cancelled 11 domestic flights from Sydney, and Virgin Australia 12 flights. No international flights were affected.

Virgin Australia sent an email to say that the weather conditions in Sydney and Newcastle had affected some services.

The Australian weather bureau described a "bomb-cyclone" or "bombogenesis" as a system of low pressure that forms quickly and causes the pressure to drop dramatically within a short time.

The bureau stated that the weather system will shift to the Tasman Sea and then ease off by Thursday.

Helen Reid, Senior Meteorologist, said that "damaging winds and large waves will continue to affect much of the coastline through Wednesday." She also warned that warnings would continue.

The conditions will continue to improve into Friday, with just a few isolated light showers remaining on the east coast of the United States by the end the week. Reporting by Renju José and Christine Chen in Sydney, Editing by Jamie Freed & Louise Heavens

(source: Reuters)