BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Australia Monday activated an emergency plan in the wake of Cyclone Larry and is prepared to deploy surveillance aircraft, medical aid, soldiers and military equipment to help Queenslanders.

    Category five cyclone Larry hit the far north coast of Australia's state of Queensland Monday morning before it was downgraded to a category three storm later in the day.

    The cyclone bringing heavy rain and winds of up to 300km/h swept through the north Queensland town of Innisfail early Monday, damaging hundreds of homes and businesses.

    Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said there will be a national appeal to help victims of the cyclone.

    The federal government also pledged to send Coastwatch Orion aircraft to assess the damage, and a medical team to help any injured.

    Prime Minister John Howard said the nation was well prepared for such emergencies. "If any military assets are needed, they will be readily available," Howard said.

    Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said he expected the damage to be substantial and federal-state co-operation was needed.

    Meanwhile, Patrick Leahy, President of Australian Banana Growers Council, said Monday that the storm has caused more than 300 million Australian dollars (220 million U.S. dollars) of loss to the country's banana industry.

    "The banana crop in north Queensland has been decimated, probably between 90 and 100 percent of the total crop is on the ground," Leahy said. Enditem

    (Agencies)