Sydney – Australia
Official authority in Australia’s north Queensland said on Sunday deadly floods hit the state, killed one person and thousands have to evacuate move to higher ground due to torrential rains.
Queensland officials added that coastal Hinchinbrook Shire received major flooding, a locality of around 11,000 people located about 500 km (310 miles) north of state capital Brisbane. Several suburbs in the nearby city of Townsville, were also impacted.
Queenslanders are being urged to evacuate as heavy rain is causing life-threatening flooding in north Queensland.
Thousands of Queenslanders are being told to take shelter now or evacuate as part of the state is being pummelled by heavy rain.
The warning has been issued as tropical lows cause widespread rainfall around north Queensland, leading to warnings of dangerous and life-threatening flooding reaching up to two-storey floors after a days-long deluge.
Heavy rain continues to hammer areas of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin districts and North Tropical Coast, extending from Mackay to south of Cairns.
The Paluma Dam, north of Townsville, has now recorded 717mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am Sunday.
“Residents in low lying areas should collect their evacuation kit and move to a safe place on higher ground. This situation may pose a threat to life and property,” regional emergency management authorities said on Sunday morning.
The flooding was triggered by heavy rain from a low-pressure system rich in tropical moisture, Australia’s weather forecaster said on its website, adding that 24-hour rainfall totals were likely up to 300 mm (11.8 inches).
“The potential for heavy, locally intense rainfall and damaging winds may continue into early next week subject to the strength and position of the trough and low,” it said.
