Sydney, March 7 – Catastrophic flooding has gripped Queensland and the neighboring Northern Territory in Australia, disrupting daily life and prompting daring rescue operations. Emergency services successfully saved five individuals trapped in fast-moving floodwaters, while a hospital evacuated patients amid rising dangers.
A slow-moving tropical cyclone made landfall on Queensland’s northeast coast Friday afternoon, triggering widespread flood warnings across much of the state. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warned of heavy rainfall and potential flash floods as the system tracked westward through central Queensland.
In central Queensland, rescuers pulled five people from floodwaters overnight. Three of them had clung to a tree after their vehicle became stranded, surviving the torrent until help arrived. The dramatic scenes underscore the ferocity of the deluge brought by the cyclone.
Further north in the Northern Territory, another tropical system has put the small town of Katherine, located 270 kilometers southeast of Darwin, on high alert for major flooding. The Katherine River surged rapidly Saturday morning, already exceeding flood levels in the town’s center, with levels expected to rise further throughout the day.
Anticipating isolation from floodwaters, authorities evacuated 21 patients from Katherine Hospital on Friday, including 20 pregnant women, transferring them to a safer facility. Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro arrived in the town Friday night, urging residents to heed emergency warnings.
Earlier warnings on March 6 highlighted dangers of flash floods along Queensland’s northeast coast, affecting cities like Cairns, Port Douglas, and Cooktown, home to a combined population of about 255,000. The BOM forecasted intense rain over a 350-kilometer coastal stretch, setting the stage for the ongoing crisis.
As cleanup efforts begin, meteorologists continue monitoring for additional rainfall that could exacerbate the situation. Communities remain on edge, with emergency services stretched thin in the face of nature’s fury.