Heavy rains and floods that hit eastern Australia, which have forced thousands of people to leave the country, should continue for at least another day, warn meteorologists.
The big picture: The rains have hit New South Wales and south-east Queensland since last Thursday. Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters that 18,000 people were under evacuation orders and that the situation remained “dynamic”, with western Sydney being the “area of greatest concern”. A natural disaster has been declared in 16 areas.
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An aerial view of the structures flooded in the Colo River in Colo, northwest of Sydney on March 23. The federal government agency, the Bureau of Meteorology, has issued severe weather alerts for all states and territories except Western Australia, affecting about 10 million people – 40% of Australia’s population. Photo: Jenny Evans / Getty ImagesAn aerial view of the flooded structures in the Colo River in Colo, northwest of Sydney, 23 March. Morrison said that while rainfall is expected to subside until late Wednesday, the threat of flooding will remain. Photo: Jenny Evans / Getty ImagesA flooded reserve in Colo on March 23. There have been reports of snakes, spiders and other animals that have taken refuge in people’s homes. Photo: Jenny Evans / Getty ImagesPeople on the side of a flooded road in the Windsor area of Sydney on March 23. Australia Insurance Council declared a catastrophe for parts of NSW, allowing insurers to prioritize responses. Photo: Saeed Khan / AFP via Getty ImagesSydney’s Windsor Bridge is submerged under the floods, New South Wales, Australia, March 22. Photo: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty ImagesA worker beside a main road flooded by floods in the suburb of Richmond, Sydney, on March 22. The emergency services carried out at least 500 rescues. Photo: Saeed Khan / AFP via Getty ImagesThe overflowing banks of the Parramatta River in Sydney, March 22. It is the worst flood in the region in 60 years. Photo: Saeed Khan / AFP via Getty ImagesHeavy flooding at McGraths Hill, Sydney, March 22. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters, “I don’t know any time in the history of the state where we had these extreme weather conditions … in the middle of a pandemic.” Photo: Brook Mitchell / Getty ImagesA road became impassable by the recent rains on March 22 in Byron Bay, NSW, near the Queensland border. Photo: James D. Morgan / Getty ImagesFlooded farm near Lennox Head, NSW, near the state border with Queensland, on March 22. Photo: James D. Morgan / Getty ImagesSurfers hit the water during heavy rains in Byron Bay on March 21. Photo: James D. Morgan / Getty Images
