About 200,000 people are isolated in Australia as a result of torrential rains in recent weeks that have flooded, according to authorities estimate, an area equivalent to the sum of the territories of France and Germany. Days of torrential rain have left thousands of homes and businesses flooded, flooded crop fields and roads severed, a disaster that will cost several billion dollars to local authorities and insurance companies.The storm has raged with particular virulence by the State of Queensland, located in the east, where 22 cities remain under water, so that last Wednesday was declared a disaster area. "There is still a long time to stop this disaster," acknowledged the head of the State of Queensland, Anna Bligh, who has alluded to the economic consequences of these floods, as the major coal mines and the largest port in this state have had to suspend their activities temporarily.
Bligh reported that thousands of homes and businesses are flooded, and that all residents of two towns have had to be evacuated. "It truly is a tragedy of unprecedented magnitude," said Bligh broadcaster ABC. For its part, Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has toured some of the most affected communities and hopes to reach Emerald, where last night were evacuated around 1,200 of its inhabitants after the Nogo River reached 16 meters.
He has already visited the city of Bundaberg, the heart of the country's sugar production, which has also closed its port after the water will damage the signaling system for navigation. In the State of New South Wales overflowing of rivers has caused significant damage to wheat crops. The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, can reach 9.4 meters in the next two days, which would cause the town is isolated by road, rail or air on Saturday, affecting some 4,000 properties.
Gillard announced this week that the government allocated one million dollars in aid to those affected by some "unprecedented flooding," while he has made a public appeal to raise more funds. Local farmers estimate that about half of the national crop-some 10 million tons-is lost, thus providing for a price increase around 45%.
The forecast is not good. Australian weather service, which has indicated that these are the worst floods the country has experienced since records began, has warned that the rains will return with greater intensity on Sunday.
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