Australia's northern tip is experiencing unrelenting rainfall, leading to widespread flooding and prompting warnings of life-threatening flash floods. Tropical lows off the coast are intensifying the deluge, with some areas bracing for up to 700mm of rain over seven days. Meanwhile, a heatwave is expected to sweep across Victoria, increasing the risk of bushfires in already vulnerable regions.
Torrential rain has been battering Australia's northern tip for days, causing widespread flooding and prompting major concerns. North Queensland has been inundated with heavy downpours, resulting in road closures, multiple rescues, and a significant threat of severe flooding. Tropical lows brewing off the coast have fueled the relentless rainfall, with some areas experiencing staggering totals.
Since Friday morning, widespread accumulations of 150mm to 250mm have been recorded, with parts of Townsville receiving a staggering 350mm. The low-pressure system near Cairns, while unlikely to develop into a cyclone, has unleashed a deluge upon the north tropical coast, with some regions anticipating up to 700mm of rainfall over the next seven days.The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings for a 550km stretch of the east coast, stretching from Bowen to Cairns, anticipating the continuation of heavy rainfall in the coming days. Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore cautioned that both Saturday and Sunday could witness thunderstorms accompanied by isolated, extremely heavy downpours of up to 50mm to 100mm per hour, posing a severe risk of flash flooding. Various flood warnings are currently in effect across the region as a diminished cyclone threat brings persistent rainfall. While another low in the Gulf of Carpentaria is expected to weaken, a system in the Coral Sea near Vanuatu could intensify into a cyclone by Sunday. Townsville and surrounding areas are already experiencing significant flooding, with social media reports circulating of crocodiles swimming in floodwaters. The Bruce Highway, Queensland's primary arterial road, was shut down on Friday north of Bowen due to severe flash flooding. Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins remarked on the widespread rainfall and its impact on transportation, stating that while it was an anticipated issue, it still caused considerable inconvenience for those traveling on the highway. Emergency services have dispatched reinforcements to the north in preparation for the impending deluge. The Bureau of Meteorology's Miriam Bradbury warned of potentially intense rainfall along parts of the coastline over the next few days, particularly between Innisfail and Ayr, emphasizing the possibility of life-threatening flash flooding. The local disaster management group issued an emergency flood alert for Townsville on Friday evening, indicating localized flooding and urging residents to be prepared for swift evacuations as conditions could deteriorate rapidly. Meanwhile, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) is urging people in high-risk bushfire areas to finalize their fire survival plans as a heatwave is predicted for next week. Temperatures are expected to surge into the high 30s and low 40s across Victoria from Saturday, with the likelihood of dry thunderstorms and lightning increasing the risk of fires in the western and central districts. CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that with multiple significant fires already burning in the Grampians and Little Desert, this period of hot and dry weather could exacerbate conditions for firefighters. He urged all Victorians, particularly those in high-risk areas, to take immediate action and not delay until it's too late. Firefighters are actively working to contain the blazes and prevent damage to the Grampians National Park, which encompasses approximately 200 Indigenous rock art sites. Crews are leveraging favorable weather conditions to conduct backburns and safeguard communities and the environment. Three bushfires persist in the Grampians, while the bushfire threat in the Little Desert National Park has subsided, with crews on track to contain it before the weekend. As temperatures soar, people seeking relief are reminded to prioritize water safety. Life Saving Victoria is urging everyone to swim with friends between red and yellow flags, keep a close watch on children around water, and be aware of potential dangers
FLOODING TROPICAL LOWS AUSTRALIA QUEENSLAND RAINFALL BUSHFIRES HEATWAVE VICTORIA EMERGENCY SERVICES BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY
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