SYDNEY: Over 50,000 people were stranded on Thursday as relentless rainfall battered eastern Australia, triggering severe flooding across the region. At least three individuals are missing, while a 63-year-old man was found dead in the rural town of Moto, located 400 km northeast of Sydney. Rescue operations involving drones, boats, and helicopters have been launched to assist the victims, according to AFP reports citing local authorities.
In just 48 hours, some parts of New South Wales received more rainfall than what is typical for an entire four-month period. Rivers have burst their banks, roads are submerged, and many residents have been forced to seek refuge on their rooftops to escape rising waters.
“We’ve had a lot of people being rescued from rooftops and upper floors of houses,” said emergency chief Byrne, as reported by Australia’s national broadcaster ABC.
The town of Taree, located 300 km north of Sydney, was especially hard-hit, receiving 415 millimeters of rain—more than four times the usual rainfall for May. In Kempsey, a nearby town, approximately 20,000 people are stranded with limited access to food, water, and medical assistance.
Australia has been grappling with increasingly extreme and unpredictable weather in recent months. According to the Australian National University, sea temperatures in 2024 have reached record highs, contributing to more intense rainfall and stronger storms.
Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain has warned that the heavy rain may continue, with some rivers expected to rise even further. Authorities are urging residents to stay alert as the situation develops.
