Severe flooding in Australia: tens of thousands flee - "It's heartbreaking"

Created: 07/06/2022 11:09 am

By: Patrick Huljina

For some of those affected, it is the fourth time in the past 18 months.

Floods on the east coast of Australia are flooding houses again.

Sydney – Extreme weather is currently again causing severe flooding on the east coast of Australia.

According to meteorologists, more precipitation fell around the metropolis of Sydney in just four days than in London in a whole year.

The authorities have already issued more than 100 evacuation orders and warnings.

A total of 85,000 people were asked to leave their homes immediately due to the risk of flooding or to prepare to leave their homes without much warning.

Severe flooding in Australia: tens of thousands have fled

"This event is far from over," warned Dominic Perrottet, Prime Minister of the particularly affected state of New South Wales.

Authorities issued new flood warnings on Wednesday (July 6).

After new heavy rains, the Hunter region north of Sydney, which is famous for its wine-growing, is now also affected.

Even in the metropolis itself, rivers carrying floods continued to pose a danger. Rivers burst their banks on the western outskirts of Sydney.

Large areas of land turned into lakes.

Muddy water entered houses.

Roads and bridges were no longer passable.

Residents wade through floodwaters in Chittaway Bay, New South Wales.

© Jeremy Piper/dpa

Floods in Australia: immediate aid promised for those affected

The authorities had already declared the floods a natural disaster on Tuesday (July 5) in order to be able to release emergency funds more quickly.

From Thursday, those affected should receive 1,000 Australian dollars (663 euros) for adults and 400 Australian dollars (265 euros) for children as emergency aid.

"This is the fastest payment ever approved," said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The head of the laboratory, who has only been in office since May, traveled to the flooded area on Wednesday and promised the people immediate financial support.

The floods are the first major test for his government.

Albanese had promised during the election campaign to tackle the climate crisis, which Australia is particularly suffering from. 

The glaciers are melting – How climate change is changing the earth

View photo gallery

also read

City on Lake Garda takes action - major fire in Rome: "Italy is preparing for a difficult summer"

Pizza "unworthy"?

Father outraged by children's toys

Australia floods: 'It's heartbreaking' - fourth time in 18 months

"It is heartbreaking that for many people this is the third or fourth time in 18 months that their lives have been disrupted by a natural disaster of this magnitude," Albanese said.

In March, catastrophic flooding hit Sydney and large parts of New South Wales and Queensland.

Parliament is now to discuss long-term solutions for the regions on the east coast that are repeatedly affected by floods and bush fires.

"In recent years, our resilience has been tested time and again," explained Albanese.

The Australian Prime Minister said it was time to act.