Australia Weather News

Tropical Cyclone Alfred has weakened to a tropical low as it nears landfall on the Gulf of Carpentaria's southern coast, but the Bureau of Meteorology warned the weather system remained powerful.

The BOM reported gales with gusts up to 85 kilometres per hour were affecting some areas between Port McArthur and Mornington Island.

The category 1 cyclone became a tropical low about 4am local time, forecaster Gabriel Branescu said.

"It took a while, it was coming very close, approaching the coastline, and started to weaken; the convection just sheared away, so it weakened very rapidly, the same way it strengthened," he said.

"It is still hanging around the coast and will start moving inland later."

He said the system was very slow-moving, and that winds would drop below gale force.

Damaging wind gusts of 90-100kph may continue to occur over the far eastern Carpentaria District in the NT, and in coastal and adjacent inland parts of the Gulf Country District in Queensland on Tuesday, the BOM said.

The system is expected to stay in the area for another 24 hours, "so rainfall is definitely an issue," Mr Branescu said.

Another 100-100mm of rain is expected in the region on Tuesday, and there is still a risk of minor flooding along low-lying coastal areas.

"The system is still powerful, has plenty of moisture," Mr Branescu warned.

"Definitely there's a possibility of heavy rainfall and flooding."

Some homes in the community of Borroloola were evacuated on Monday, with 74 residents sheltering elsewhere.

The town was the main focus of emergency services' attention, and the 1,000 or so residents of the community and its wider region were advised to shelter indoors.

NT Emergency Services advised residents from Port McArthur to the NT and Queensland border that it was now safe to leave their shelter area.

They were reminded to wear durable clothing and footwear, and to beware of fallen power lines and debris.

Residents were advised not to drive around unnecessarily, as emergency vehicles required clear access, and people were urged not to enter floodwaters.