The Premier of Australia’s Queensland, David Crisafulli, cautioned that regions in the state’s north and northwest are still under threat of flooding despite a decrease in rainfall. Parts of Queensland’s tropical north and northwest have experienced more rain in the past week than they typically would in a whole year, as per Crisafulli’s statement to Nine Network television.
Forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology indicated a reduction in rainfall across Queensland following ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji’s landfall on the northeast coast and subsequent westward movement, leading to widespread flash flooding. Despite this, major flood warnings for four rivers were still active on Wednesday, with concerns raised about swollen catchments, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Crisafulli expressed worries about the possibility of additional rain in already high catchments that are slow to recede. He highlighted the ongoing risk of heavy isolated downpours in these already saturated areas. The Premier also mentioned the tragic loss of over 50,000 livestock due to floodwaters, with the number expected to rise, and ongoing power outages affecting more than 300 properties in a town of around 3,000 residents.
Authorities are currently engaged in air drops of feed and emergency veterinary supplies to cattle stranded in elevated locations. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji, which hit Queensland’s northeast coast with damaging winds and heavy rainfall, has now moved westward across the state. Formed under favorable conditions in the Coral Sea, Koji reached Category 2 cyclone status before landfall, with maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h (62 mph) and gusts exceeding 140 km/h (87 mph).
