Almost 2000 emergency calls: severe flooding in Sydney – one person died

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An amusement park in the Camden district in southern Sydney was hit by the water masses

Photo: MICK TSIKAS/EPA

Thousands of Syney residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes due to flooding.

The district of Camden in the southwest of Australia's largest metropolis is under water after torrential rain on the east coast.

"Things could get much worse overnight," warned state disaster relief director Carlene York.

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Flooded petrol station in the Camden area

Photo: MUHAMMAD FAROOQ / AFP

Heavy rains and overflowing dams and rivers caused flash floods and landslides along the east coast from Newcastle to Batemans Bay in the state of New South Wales.

"It's a rapidly evolving situation," said New South Wales Minister for Disaster Relief Steph Cooke.

“It could well be that areas are affected that have never been hit by floods before.” The Australian government has provided the state with 100 soldiers and two helicopters to help with rescue operations.

The heavy rains caused Sydney's main dam to overflow early Sunday morning, the water authority said.

"The water can't stay in the levees anymore," York said.

“The rivers flow very fast and are very dangerous.

There is also a risk of flash flooding depending on where the rains occur.«

On Sunday alone there were almost 2000 calls for help in the affected regions.

29 people were rescued from the floods within 24 hours - including a woman who held on to a pole for an hour while rescuers tried to reach her.

For one man, however, any help came too late: he fell out of his kayak and was dragged dead from Sydney Harbour, police said.

The Australian city only suffered severe flooding in the spring.

Schools remained closed, entire areas were evacuated.

ani/Reuters