WELLINGTON (Reuters) – Australia’s most populous state of Latest South Wales was bracing on Saturday for more heavy rain and possible floods because the tally of weather warnings rose to 64 and authorities urged people to take extreme care and avoid travel.
The rains are expected to hit Sydney and flood warnings have been issued for rivers each nearby and inland, as weather officials said that rain since Wednesday in some parts of the state raised their levels.
“There is important risk of flash flooding right across our state,” Dominic Perrottet, the premier of Latest South Wales, told reporters.
“We currently have a situation where our dams are full, our rivers are full, so with heavy rain expected, we ask everybody to proceed to be cautious.”
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Preparations to fight the floods included Australian Defence Force and emergency services helicopters and 500 emergency services volunteers placed on standby.
There have been 10 flood rescues previously 24 hours, the emergency service added.
Australia’s east is within the grip of a rare third straight 12 months of the La Nina weather event, which brings more rain. With almost three months left in 2022, Sydney this week recorded its wettest 12 months since records began in 1858.
More rain expected overnight will add to the danger of flash flooding, landslips, and fallen trees, said Steph Cooke, the state’s emergency services minister.
“We’re really asking communities, especially those across Sydney this evening, to please take care,” Cooke said.
The challenge is made more daunting by expectations that roads can be busier than usual as schools return on Monday from spring break and about 200,000 spectators head home from a supercars championship.
Authorities urged motorists to not drive on flooded roads.
The rain is predicted to ease on Sunday before moving offshore, although the center of the week could bring more significant rainfall, the Bureau of Meteorology has said.
Australia’s east coast has been repeatedly hit by devastating floods this 12 months. In March, rising waters forced tens of hundreds from their homes, with a minimum of 13 deaths.
(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
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