As Townsville prepares for additional flooding due to the Ross River Dam overflow, authorities in north Queensland warn of potentially fatal conditions, putting at least 1,700 homes at danger.
Authorities in Australia’s Queensland state warned that at least 1,700 homes could be submerged by the continuous floods caused by rain, and one person was murdered.
On Sunday, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said that heavy rains in north Queensland might create “dangerous and life-threatening” circumstances.
The evacuation deadline for people in six Townsville neighborhoods has already passed, and an emergency notice has been issued for Hinchinbrook, an island group community, due to the ongoing strong rainfall.
The Ross River Dam is currently closed to the public after reaching 163.8 percent of its capacity.
Authorities from the local administration have cautioned against visiting the area.
More properties are at jeopardy due to rising seas.
The upcoming time frame is “critical” for Townsville, according to Queensland Police Superintendent Graeme Paine.
“Certainly for Townsville, the indications are there will be an inundation that will impact people,” ABC reported Paine as saying.
Zac Dawes, coordinator of the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group, issued a warning, stating that the “black zone” is now beginning to flood.
The suburbs of Cluden, Hermit Park, Idalia, Oonoonba, Railway Estate, and Rosslea Water are referred to as the “black zone.”
Dawes cautioned that the number of affected properties will keep rising.
