Australia has deployed the military to help tackle the "once-in-a-century" floods that have wreaked havoc on the lives of people in the northeast. Floodwaters have led to the closure of schools and many residents fled. Meanwhile, crocodiles appeared on the streets. Rescue teams have brought in amphibious cargo vehicles to shift people out of danger zones and to safety. The northern state of Queensland is used to heavy rains in the monsoon season but the recent downpour is unprecedented and the authorities had no other alternative but to open the floodgates.

Channel News Asia reports residents have had to cope with flash floods, landslides and power blackouts apart from saltwater crocodiles spotted in different locations. Nearby military barracks and the Red Cross arranged accommodation for some residents of Townsville and life is at a standstill with shutters down in schools and courts and communication lines disrupted.

Rains have taken Queensland by surprise

State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, “it's a one-in-100-year event. This is unprecedented, we've never seen anything like this before.” Channel Asia reported that she also cautioned the situation in Townsville could deteriorate because of rivers in spate with high-speed winds of around 62 miles an hour on the coast.

In the opinion of officials, if the rains continue, thousands of homes will be at risk. Many places have received excess rainfall compared to normal and the Met department added that it would take a while for floodwaters to recede.

Channel News Asia adds that there is a plus point because the rains have come as a blessing in disguise for drought-stricken farmers in western Queensland.

The region suffered extreme heatwaves during summer and in many places, temperature records were broken.

Flash floods will add to the miseries

According to News AU, Townsville could experience more flash floods but it expects to reopen the airport. The authorities have suggested that passengers take into account the extra time to pass through airport formalities. The rise in water levels in the Ross River dam is stabilizing but an emergency exists for another river nearby. People who live in adjacent areas could expect floods. Evacuation centers are the present homes for the rescued people because floodwaters pose considerable health risks to those who face these conditions. Some people needed to be evacuated for their safety. As well as the dangers of floods, they also need to be very careful of the crocodiles and snakes that lurk in the water because crocodiles can easily kill humans.
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