Thousands urged to higher ground as Australia's Queensland state battles floods

2/2/2025 11:30

Australian authorities on Sunday urged thousands of people in north Queensland state to move to higher ground due to flooding caused by torrential rains.

Queensland authorities said major flooding was underway in coastal Hinchinbrook Shire, a locality of around 11,000 people located about 500 km north of state capital Brisbane. Authorities said, the town of Giru, population 387, close to Townsville city, was also impacted.



North Queensland has large zinc reserves as well as major deposits of silver, lead, copper and iron ore, with Townsville a major processing centre for the region's base metals. In 2019, severe floods in the area disrupted lead and zinc concentrate rail shipments and damaged thousands of properties.



egional emergency management authorities said on Sunday morning, "Residents in low lying areas should collect their evacuation kit and move to a safe place on higher ground. This situation may pose a threat to life and propert."



The flooding was triggered by heavy rain from a low pressure system rich in tropical moisture, Australia's weather forecaster said on its website, adding that 24-hour rainfall totals were likely up to 300 mm (11.8 inches).