Australia floods: Four months' worth of rain in one day

Torrents that have hit southeastern Australia have caused flash flooding and urgent evacuation orders, especially in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales, the country's most populous state, Reuters reports. In just 24 hours, the amount of rainfall in some areas has exceeded the four-month average, and authorities warn that the situation will worsen. According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, new record rainfall was expected. "We are dealing with an enormous amount of rainfall. Part of the problem is that the ground is saturated and the other part is that the rivers are swollen," said Jihad Dib, the Minister for Emergency Services of New South Wales.

• People trapped on roofs, waiting for rescuers

The towns of Taree and Glenthorne, located on the banks of the Manning River, more than 300 kilometers north of Sydney, are among the hardest hit. Images on social media show people in flooded houses, with water up to their ankles, waiting for rescue teams to intervene. "Our neighbors have had to take refuge on the roof and if someone doesn't come to rescue us soon, we will have to go up on the roof too," a Glenthorne resident told ABC News. Rescuers are responding with boats and helicopters, and authorities have stated that the priority is to save vulnerable people and those isolated by the waters.

• Authorities remain on alert

Although the rains continue, local authorities are trying to manage the crisis with all available means. In the context of climate change, such extreme episodes are becoming more frequent in Australia, a country already affected in recent years by devastating fires and severe droughts. The situation remains dynamic, and residents in high-risk areas are urged to remain vigilant and follow the instructions of emergency authorities.