Torrential rain douses bushfires across parts of Australia with risk of heavy flooding

Though very welcome the heavy rain causes other problems

Torrential rain batters New South Wales Australia, it has reduced the number of active fires in the state by a third, from more than 60 down to 42. However,  parts of the east coast now face a new threat from flooding, Sydney is facing one of its wettest three-day periods in years.

The commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service, Shane Fitzsimmons, said on Friday there had been a “dramatic shift” in the hot, dry and windy conditions that have driven the unprecedented fire season for months.

Coastal areas of NSW, including Sydney, could receive their highest rainfall levels in more than three years as a trough makes its way down the state.

Multiple severe weather and flood warnings were in place across NSW on Friday, with emergency services warning of possible landslips in areas near fire grounds cleared of vegetation.

“This has been an absolute welcome disruption to that weather pattern and a massive reprieve and relief to so many people right across New South Wales,” he said.

“Obviously we don’t want to see lots of widespread damage and destruction from flooding, but it is certainly a welcome change to the relentless campaign of hot, dry weather resulting in widespread damaging, destructive fires that we’ve experienced for too long now.”

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Written by

Tony Winterburn

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