Powerful winds lashed southern Australia yesterday, causing air and traffic delays, cutting off power to thousands of homes and killing at least one person, weather officials said.
In Victoria, weather forecasters took the unusual step of asking people to remain indoors as strong winds battered the state, reaching more than 130km an hour in one region.
"People on the roads should watch out for trees -- as in branches blowing off, let alone trees falling," Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Peter Blake said. "Indoors is the place to be, people should stick to indoor activities today."
The winds killed at least one person when a wall fell on top of a woman walking in a lane near shops in Melbourne.
Officials were also investigating whether the winds contributed to the death of a rigger who died when girders and scaffolding collapsed on a building site early yesterday.
More than 1,200 calls poured into the State Emergency Service to report trees fallen on roads, homes, cars and powerlines and roofs blown off houses.
Flights faced 30-minute delays and rail commuters were hit by widespread damage on lines, while power was cut to more than 200,000 homes and businesses.
Because of the wild weather, a horse racing event at Melbourne's Sandown course was canceled and the Melbourne International Flower Show was also closed.
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