Romain Rouillard / Photo credit: BRIAN CASSEY / AFP
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8:10 p.m., December 18, 2023
The specter of a Christmas Eve with its feet in the water looms over the Queensland region, in the north-east of Australia. Following the passage of Tropical Cyclone Jasper, the region suffered significant flooding and authorities were forced to evacuate more than 200 people. Its Prime Minister, Steven Miles, even speaks of an “unprecedented” level of precipitation. Army helicopters have been mobilized to help the victims while the city of Cairns, 150,000 inhabitants, finds itself surrounded by water which has flowed onto the main roads serving this tourist seaside resort.
Photo credit: BRIAN CASSEY / AFP
In Cairns, in fact, the airport also found itself under water this Sunday, causing its closure. The authorities had suggested a reopening this Monday, before changing their mind. “Flooding at the airfield has eased. However, given our proximity to the Barron River, significant debris needs to be removed and cleaned,” the website read. The airport will reopen its doors this Tuesday, but the resumption of air traffic will not be immediate.
Photo credit: QUEENSLAND FIRE AND EMERGENCY SE / ANADOLU / ANADOLU VIA AFP
Australia’s Queensland state is experiencing some of its worst flooding in its history as remnants of Tropical Cyclone Jasper continue to dump phenomenal rainfall totals to the Cairns region of northern Qld. Two rain gauges have recorded over 660 mm (26 inches) of rain in just 12… pic.twitter.com/E9QGvdH7fI
— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) December 17, 2023
The flood has not yet reached its peak
Almost everywhere, rescue operations are being carried out by the emergency services. In Wujal Wujal, a village of 300 inhabitants, which now resembles “a sea of dirty water and mud”, according to local manager Kiley Hanslow, nine people had to take refuge on the roof of a hospital.
Photo credit: BRIAN CASSEY / AFP
Many residents are fleeing the disaster areas, but the rain which continues to fall complicates evacuation operations. According to local weather services, rising water levels have not yet peaked in most rivers. The decline is therefore not expected for several days.
Photo credit: AFP PHOTO / COURTESY OF JONTY FRATUS
As a result of the rising water levels, some crocodiles have been seen near homes, such as here in Ingham, in the south of the region. In Wujal Wujal too, the reptiles roam in rather unusual places, even on the main street of the village, according to Kiley Hanslow. Since some snakes can also slip into the waters, authorities have called on residents to exercise extreme caution as many of them have no other choice but to travel with their feet in the water. .