Rescue operations continue in flood-hit Australia

ANKARA

Rescue efforts in the Australian state of Queensland continued on Tuesday following heavy rains caused floods in northern parts of the country.

According to officials, teams rescued over 250 people stranded on rooftops and the evacuation of over 100 people from the Wujal Wujal area of the region is expected to be completed later today.

"In terms of the evacuation of Wujal Wujal, at the moment we are forecasting that we can evacuate up to 120 people today," Brigadier Richard Peace, a local commander, told journalists during a press conference along with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Brisbane.

He added that the rescue operation would continue till Wednesday as Australia also deployed its defense force personnel to help local administration.

Albanese arrived in Queensland following the devastating flood that caused huge damages in several parts of the state.

"This is a difficult time for flood-impacted Far North Queenslanders," said the prime minister as his government also announced AUD $1,000 ($672) per adult and AUD $400 per child in the affected areas.

"I will travel to Far North Queensland on late Thursday and Friday again," Albanese said.

Earlier, during a radio interview, Albanese called the destruction caused by the flood as "quite extraordinary."

"The aftermath of this natural disaster is quite extraordinary and it's going to take time to get the region back on its feet," he told local Radio FM Cairns.

The country's Bureau of Meteorology said that flooding was easing but showers will continue for the next few days.

"No significant rainfall has been recorded across the Daintree and Mossman River catchments since 9:00 a.m. Tuesday. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the next few days," said the weather agency in a statement.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid