KARACHI, Pakistan

Authorities on Thursday issued evacuation orders to panicked citizens as tropical cyclone Alfred edged closer to Australia's east coast.

The New South Wales State Emergency Service urged residents in the Northern Rivers region to evacuate by 9 p.m. (local time) on Thursday, as rapid river rises and massive rainfall are expected to lead to extensive flooding.

Fifteen evacuation centers are currently open in northern New South Wales, Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan from the State Emergency Service duty command said in a statement.

Adding that more than 300,000 sandbags have been distributed to community members preparing their homes and businesses for the incoming severe weather, she warned: "If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services."

Hogan also cautioned that it could become too dangerous for emergency services to carry out rescues, and buildings may not withstand the impact of floodwaters.

“You should evacuate to stay with family, friends, or alternate accommodation in areas unaffected by flooding. If you are unable to find accommodation, evacuation centers are open throughout the region,” she said.

Residents in the southeast of Queensland and the northeast of New South Wales are bracing for the cyclone, with the severity not having been seen in the region since 1974.

Cyclone Alfred is expected to remain “at the higher end” of category 2 and make landfall between midnight Thursday and the early hours of Friday morning, bringing more than half a meter of rain (1.6 feet) and "damaging to destructive" winds in large areas of Queensland and NSW.

Over 4 million residents of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and other cities of Queensland and New South Wales have been placed on a formal warning by the Bureau of Meteorology.

Several local airlines suspended operations in Brisbane on Thursday. Gold Coast Airport in the southernmost Queensland has shut down since Wednesday afternoon until further notice, while Sunshine Coast Airport continues to function as usual.

Public transport also remains suspended.