In less than 24 hours after residents in parts of Australia’s Victoria state evacuated due to bushfires, state authorities are now cautioning about the risk of flooding caused by heavy rain extinguishing the flames and raising water levels in the southeastern state.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has predicted flash flooding throughout Wednesday afternoon in northeastern Victoria, as the state continues to receive rainfall. Just yesterday, around 17,000 hectares were on fire in these areas.
The Victoria state emergency service’s chief officer operations, Tim Wiebusch, reported that a farmer in the region was rescued during the night after becoming trapped while driving through floodwaters.
“Fortunately, we have witnessed some rainfall across the two fires,” acknowledged Wiebusch. “However, over the next 24 to 48 hours, flash flooding and riverine flooding pose the primary risk. We cannot stress enough how important it is for people to remain alert to their surroundings.”
This rain arrives during an unusually dry beginning to the Australian spring, starting in September. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, September 2023 marked the driest September on record with only 29% of the average rainfall from 1961 to 1990.
While firefighters are still working to contain bushfires in two areas of Victoria, authorities have stated that there is currently no immediate danger to nearby residents.
Across the border in New South Wales state, an uncontrollable bushfire has consumed 5,200 hectares near the town of Bermagui, roughly 300 kilometers (186 miles) southwest of Sydney.
State fire authorities have noted that conditions have improved overnight, although several properties have been lost, and firefighters are still engaged in efforts to control the blaze.
Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Aurora Ellis
Credit: The Star : News Feed
