Residents Rescued from Record Flooding in Outback Australia
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Synopsis
Residents have been airlifted to safety due to historic flooding in remote northern Australia. Over 100 homes are affected, with evacuations underway in several towns. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued major flood warnings, and local farmers report devastating losses.
Key Takeaways
- Residents airlifted due to record flooding.
- Over 100 homes flooded in Queensland.
- Historic rainfall exceeded 1974 records.
- Major flood warnings issued for multiple rivers.
- Federal funding allocated for cattle fodder drops.
Sydney, March 29 (NationPress) Residents have been airlifted to safety due to unprecedented flooding in remote northern Australia.
More than 100 homes have been inundated across several small towns located over 1,000 kilometres west of Brisbane in the outback region of Queensland following historic rainfall.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) announced in a significant flood warning on Saturday that the peak floodwaters in the area have exceeded the record established in 1974.
Residents from the small towns of Adavale and Jundah, along with numerous remote properties, were evacuated by air after flooding rendered road access impossible.
Cattle farmer Geoff Lloyd, who was airlifted from his property on Thursday, remarked to the Nine Network that the losses in the area have been devastating.
"I’ve spent 30 years on that river, and I’ve never witnessed anything like this," he stated.
As reported by the industry organization Meat and Livestock Australia, the region is among Australia’s most crucial cattle farming areas, according to Xinhua news agency.
Lloyd noted that local helicopter pilots have been tirelessly working to rescue both people and cattle but are running low on aviation fuel.
During a campaign speech in Brisbane on Saturday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that AUD 2.5 million (USD 1.57 million) in federal and state funding has been allocated for aerial fodder drops for cattle impacted by the flooding.
"We will mobilize all available resources, including the Australian Defence Force, which may assist in some of the drops," he mentioned.
As of Saturday morning, the BoM had issued major flood warnings for eight rivers and two creeks in the area.
Residents in the affected regions have been encouraged to contact authorities to arrange air evacuations.
On Saturday morning, Tropical Cyclone Dianne made landfall on the Western Australia coast at 5 a.m., expected to weaken below cyclone levels throughout the morning.
In New South Wales, the BoM predicts heavy rainfall for much of the day around Sydney and in the northern part of the state.
The BoM forecasts widespread rain with a chance of thunderstorms across most areas, gradually clearing the far west of the state throughout the day.
