Cause of the Flood
Recently, New South Wales (NSW) in Australia has experienced record rainfall that caused a severe flood. This disaster has become one of the worst natural calamities in the country's history. At least four people have died, and many are still missing. Around 50,000 people have been cut off due to the rising floodwater, showing how serious the situation is.
Background and Impact of the Flood
Several days of heavy rain have caused rivers in different parts of NSW to overflow dangerously. The town of Taree on the mid-north coast is one of the most affected areas. On Wednesday, a main river in that area reached a height of 6.3 meters, breaking a century-old record.
Due to the flood, more than 100 schools have closed. Thousands of homes and businesses are without electricity. Temporary shelters have been set up for displaced people.
Rescue Efforts and Government Actions
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) reported that they carried out over 535 rescue operations within 24 hours from 5 AM local time. Since the beginning of the flood, they have conducted more than 670 operations in total.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to visit the flood-hit areas on Friday morning.
Weather Alerts and Forecast
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has warned that the heavy rain is moving south, now affecting Sydney and Newcastle. More than 150 flood alerts have been issued, with 40 at emergency level. Authorities have repeated their warning not to drive or walk through floodwaters.
Social and Economic Impact
This flood has had a major effect on the economy and society of New South Wales. The agriculture sector, businesses, and the daily life of people are badly affected. Power outages, broken communication lines, and school closures have made the situation worse.
Conclusion
The ongoing flood in New South Wales has become a national crisis. The government, emergency services, and local communities are working together to deal with the disaster. However, more effective steps are needed to fight climate change in the long term to reduce the damage from such natural disasters in the future.