Parts Of Australia Have Been Hit By Record-Breaking Floods, Forcing Thousands Of People To Evacuate
Experts say the floods could be the worst in the region in more than 60 years.
Torrential rain has caused severe flooding in northern Queensland, Australia, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes and causing widespread damage.
The flooding began on Sunday, Feb. 2, when extreme rainfall hit the region, with areas receiving up to 1 meter of rain in just 48 hours, science news outlet the Watchers reported.
Experts say these could be the worst floods in the region in more than 60 years, according to the BBC.
In the worst hit areas, residents have been stranded as floodwaters inundated homes and cut off access to emergency services.
The flooding has also caused significant infrastructure damage, including the collapse of a major bridge on the Bruce Highway, Queensland’s primary transport route.
This has disrupted emergency response efforts and stopped supplies from reaching isolated communities.
Power outages have left thousands without electricity, and emergency shelters are struggling to accommodate displaced families.
One woman in her 60s died when a vessel rescuing her capsized after it collided with a tree in Ingham.
The body of a second, 82-year-old woman was found on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Emergency services are working to restore power and provide essential supplies to affected communities.
Queensland Premier, the head of the Government of Queensland, has emphasized the need for infrastructure upgrades to enhance resilience against such extreme weather events.
The atmospheric conditions contributing to the floods are similar to previous events in the region, with climate change likely playing a role in their increasing frequency and severity.
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