Australia: 28-year-old Indian woman dies in Queensland floods
What's the story
A 28-year-old Indian-origin woman has been killed in the floods in Queensland, Australia. Emergency response workers found her dead inside her car in the Malbon River in Duchess, southeast of Mount Isa at 1:15 pm. The Indian mission expressed condolences to the family of the woman and said it is in touch with them for all necessary assistance. Queensland—located in Australia's northeast—is currently on high alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms, making the situation increasingly tense.
Twitter Post
Indian embassy in Australia expresses condolences
Heart breaking tragedy in Australia: an Indian national lost her life in a flooding incident near Mount Isa, Queensland. Deepest condolence to the family of the deceased. Mission team is in touch for all necessary assistance.@MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar
— India in Australia (@HCICanberra) February 16, 2024
Advisory
Queensland police issue warning to motorists
Amid inclement weather conditions, the Queensland police have issued a warning to motorists. "Flooding continues to impact extensive road networks across Mount Isa district. Motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution and to never enter floodwaters," it said. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of the Sunshine Coast Council Area, where heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding. In a similar incident, another woman was found dead in her car, submerged in floodwaters close to Mount Isa.
Twitter Post
Read Queensland police's advisory here
⚠⛈ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for people in parts of Sunshine Coast Council Area.
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) February 16, 2024
The BOM warns that a severe thunderstorm likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding was detected near Maroochydore and waters off Maroochydore: https://t.co/XBj08DX8c9 pic.twitter.com/NB92CUbDCE
Helpline
Emergency services on alert after over 60 calls
According to reports, the State Emergency Services (SES) has received around 60 calls for assistance since midnight on Friday. Nearly 50 of these originated from the southeast region. Authorities have said that the SES is on alert in the wake of the extreme weather conditions. This marks the third storm to impact northern Australia in recent months. Previous storms include Kirrily in January and Tropical Cyclone Jasper in mid-December.
Warning issued
Tropical Cyclone Lincoln to make landfall in Australia
Meanwhile, the weather bureau, on Friday afternoon, issued a warning for Tropical Cyclone Lincoln which has formed over the south-west of the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is pertinent to note that the region is still reeling with the aftereffects of January's Tropical Storm Kirrily. "Many of these areas have had major flooding in the past couple of weeks associated with ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily," meteorologist Angus Hines said of the cyclone warning region.
Twitter Post
Met Dept issues warning against tropical storm Lincoln
⛈️ #Qld storm forecast for tomorrow (17/2). Severe storms with heavy rainfall and damaging winds possible in Gulf, Peninsula and North West.
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) February 16, 2024
Keep up to date with warnings: https://t.co/CinugnxqkN pic.twitter.com/BspHl4hYdG