In a dramatic turn of events, Australian authorities reported that 152 individuals were successfully rescued from floodwaters in the eastern state of New South Wales on Saturday. The heavy rains, which unleashed nearly a month's worth of rainfall on Sydney, prompted urgent warnings for residents to seek higher ground.
Sydney, Australia's largest city, saw 72 rescue operations conducted across several low-lying suburbs. New South Wales State Emergency Service issued 15 emergency evacuation orders statewide, responding to an overwhelming 4,128 calls for assistance within a 24-hour period leading up to 5:00 AM local time.
\"Flood levels in some of the rivers, particularly in western Sydney, are continuing to rise,\" stated New South Wales Premier Chris Minns during a televised media conference. The torrential downpours on Friday significantly impacted Australia's southeast, leading to advisories against non-essential travel and urging residents to remain indoors.
Data from the national weather forecaster highlighted that Sydney received 111 millimeters of rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to Friday morning, just shy of the average for April at 121.5 millimeters. The severe weather conditions have tested the resilience of the region, with emergency services working tirelessly to ensure the safety of all affected individuals.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
