In Australia’s southeast cities, including the coastal capital Melbourne, which has a population of about five million, 500 homes are said to have been flooded while another 500 have been left isolated. Authorities are said to have ordered the evacuation of the affected areas.
Evacuations are ordered after a major storm causes flash flooding and power outages in Victoria.
According to Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews, areas of Victoria State are experiencing “very, very, significant rainfall event and it comes, of course, with the ground completely sodden.” As more rain is predicted for the upcoming week, the number of homes affected by the flooding is anticipated to increase.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting more rain over the next six to eight weeks, which Andrews described as “the real challenge now.” He continued, “It won’t take much additional water for there to be further flood events.” Therefore, even though it has only recently begun, this will last for some time.
As the flood threat increases, many Maribyrnong residents have been instructed to leave.
At five in the morning, Maribyrnong authorities ordered the evacuation of about 60 homes nearby.
The State Emergency Service reported that it had performed 108 flood rescues over the previous two days, and approximately 4,700 homes were without electricity. According to reports, 20 people have already passed away. Service commander Josh Gamble discussed how the unusual nature of the weather has created new difficulties. Gamble said, “That is quite significant and we haven’t had that many flood rescues for some years in fact.”
Approximately 500 residents of the town of Forbes in the state of New South Wales have either been isolated or evacuated, according to the authorities. Residents are relocating to higher ground because rising river levels are predicted.
In September, the Bureau of Meteorology predicted that eastern Australia would see an above-average La Nina pattern of precipitation. The drier El Nio pattern’s opposite side is colder. Since 2019 became Australia’s driest and warmest year, there has been a third La Nina. The wettest year on record was just reported in Sydney, the capital of Australia, shattering the previous mark set in 1950.
