canberra Right at the start of the year, Australia is once again grappling with extreme weather events. After devastating rains, parts of the Kimberley region in the country’s northwest look like a giant lake. It could be weeks before the community of Fitzroy Crossing, which has a population of 1,500 and about 50 Aboriginal-inhabited hinterland communities, is again accessible by land, Emergency Management Minister Murray told Australia Radio on Thursday. Watt.
The city of Derby, which has a population of 3,000, appears to be completely isolated. Authorities had previously spoken of a flood of the century in the region. Cyclone Ellie’s buttresses are responsible. Precipitation is expected to shift only towards the Northern Territory on Friday. The government will send the military to help residents in the affected areas, Watts said. Due to extremely high water levels, electricity was cut off as a precaution in the entire area, the broadcaster ABC said, quoting operator Horizon Power.
More than 200,000 flashes in one night
The floods are also affecting supplies across Western Australia. The Great Northern Highway, which connects the metropolis of Perth with the northern port city of Wyndham, is impassable in both directions. The expressway is the only transportation route north. A 700-kilometre stretch has been closed after a bridge near Fitzroy Crossing was severely damaged by the flood waters, Australia’s AAP news agency reported. The repair work could take months.
Reports of extreme weather phenomena also come from other parts of the country: Thursday night there was a storm in Queensland, on the east coast, during which more than 200,000 lightning strikes, as reported by the media. Broadcaster 9News spoke of a “spectacular light show” – with consequences: Thousands of people north of Brisbane were left without electricity on Thursday.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns of more frequent weather events
In the southwestern state of Western Australia, however, people were fleeing a bushfire. The flames raged about 220 kilometers south of the city of Perth in the towns around Newlands. Authorities warned the fire was “unpredictable and out of control”. However, fire activity decreased during the day, emergency services said.
Road flooded on January 3, 2023 in Fitzroy Crossing (Australia).
– © Reuters / Callum Lamond
Flooding and record heat have repeatedly occurred in Down Under in the past year. Australia is particularly affected by the consequences of climate change. A February 2022 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report speculates that the country will be hit by devastating natural events even more frequently in the future. (apa/dpa)
