The remnants of Cyclone Alfred have unleashed torrential rain across Australia’s east coast, leading to significant flooding as emergency workers strive to restore power to over 190,000 homes and businesses.
Despite the weather system losing its strength, authorities continue to issue a range of flood and severe weather warnings along a 400 km stretch of coastline that spans Queensland and New South Wales. The Bureau of Meteorology reported that Brisbane, Queensland’s capital, received an alarming 30 cm of rain within just 24 hours.
In certain neighborhoods of this bustling city, which is home to 2.5 million residents, floodwaters have inundated streets, leaving cars stranded and partly submerged in the most affected areas. Disturbing images circulating in the media depict the severity of the situation.
As Jonathan How, a forecaster from the Bureau of Meteorology, stated, “Rainfall is leading to flash flooding as well as river flooding in parts of the southeast.” He emphasized the ongoing risks posed by this weather system during a recent press conference.
The aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred is vividly illustrated by the damage across various locations. Heavy rain continues to pose a threat, with flash flooding and moderate-to-major river flooding still a concern, Mr. How noted. “This is all due to the remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred,” he reiterated. “The system crossed the southeast Queensland coast on Saturday but has been moving unusually slowly over land, dragging along a considerable amount of moisture.”
Amid the turmoil, utility companies reported that power outages persist, with over 210,000 homes and businesses still without electricity in Queensland and an additional 10,000 in New South Wales. Essential Energy in New South Wales is actively working on repairs, which include substantial vegetation removal efforts to clear trees from power lines, re-erecting power poles, replacing electrical components, and restringing power lines.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns cautioned that the weather patterns remain unpredictable. “We’re expecting some increased rainfalls over the next 24 hours,” he mentioned during a press conference, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance.
The wild weather has tragically resulted in at least one loss of life. A 61-year-old man lost his life when his four-wheel-drive vehicle was swept off a bridge in northern New South Wales. Despite his desperate attempts to cling to a tree branch, he was ultimately carried away by the swift current, as reported by police.
However, in a glimmer of hope, all but one of the evacuation orders in the state have been lifted, signaling a potential return to normalcy for many residents.
In the words of Premier Minns, this situation reminds us that “the community must come together in times of crisis, supporting one another as we recover from these natural calamities.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
