Asia - Pacific, Environment

Parts of Australia lashed by heavy rains, floods triggered by Cyclone Jasper

People evacuate as floods force patients, staff take refuge on roof of the hospital in Wujal Wujal area of Queensland

Riyaz ul Khaliq  | 18.12.2023 - Update : 19.12.2023
Parts of Australia lashed by heavy rains, floods triggered by Cyclone Jasper

ISTANBUL

Tropical Cyclone Jasper has triggered floods in northern parts of Australia.

Australian Bureau of Meteorology said Monday heavy rainfall has waterlogged areas of Queensland's Far North, forcing people to evacuate.

In the Wujal Wujal area of the region, patients and staff were stranded on the roof of the hospital as authorities were working to evacuate locals from the flooded Indigenous community, ABC News reported.

In Brisbane, the body of a seven-year-old boy was found by police, 9News reported.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described footage of the disaster as "quite horrific” and said he would visit the Far North “when it is feasible and appropriate.”

According to SBS News, floodwaters have closed Cairns Airport while roads have been extensively damaged.

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