Warnings of flooding in parts of Victoria state have been issued by state authorities, less than 24 hours after residents fled bush fires. Heavy rain is extinguishing flames and causing rivers to rise in the southeastern state. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology predicts flash flooding in northeastern Victoria throughout Wednesday afternoon, as areas that were recently ablaze receive rainfall. A farmer in the area was rescued by first responders overnight after becoming trapped in floodwaters. In some parts of the state, up to 150 milliliters of rain has fallen, almost eight times the state’s average for September. Chief officer operations Tim Wiebusch at Victoria state emergency service highlights the risk of flash and riverine flooding over the next 24 to 48 hours, urging people to be vigilant.
Australia has experienced an unseasonably dry start to spring, as September recorded the driest conditions on record, with rainfall 71% below the average from 1961 to 1990, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Although firefighters continue to work on containing bush fires in two parts of Victoria, nearby residents are not currently under immediate threat. In New South Wales state, a bush fire covering 5200 hectares burned uncontrollably near the town of Bermagui, around 300 kilometers (186 miles) southwest of Sydney. Fire authorities report improved conditions overnight, while stating that several properties were lost and efforts to contain the blaze are ongoing.
By Lewis Jackson; edited by Aurora Ellis
Credit: The Star : News Feed
