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Deadly Floods Devastate North Queensland as Rainfall Reaches Record Levels
Floodwaters continue to rise across Australia’s northeast as torrential rains batter North Queensland for a third consecutive day, forcing evacuations and claiming at least one life.
Record Rainfall Sparks Widespread Flooding
A deluge of nearly a summer’s worth of rain has inundated large swaths of North Queensland, submerging towns and forcing thousands to flee their homes. The worst-affected areas stretch along a 735-kilometer (456-mile) coastal corridor from Cairns to Mackay, with Townsville, Ingham, and Cardwell among the hardest hit.
Authorities have issued major flood warnings for six rivers running above flood levels, while the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warned on Monday that more intense rainfall was expected throughout the day. Some areas have already recorded more than a meter of rainfall in just one week, overwhelming river systems and causing devastating flash floods.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the destruction as heartbreaking, noting that homes, businesses, and farms had been badly damaged.
“This is a flood the likes of which is only seen a handful of times,” he said, praising local communities for their resilience.
One Fatality Confirmed as Rescues Continue
The floods have already claimed one life, after a woman in her 60s drowned on Sunday when a rescue boat capsized near Ingham. According to State Disaster Coordinator Shane Chelepy, five others on board were successfully rescued.
Despite ongoing rescues, Chelepy confirmed on Monday that there were no additional fatalities or missing persons reported. Emergency responders, however, remain on high alert as water levels continue to rise.
Hundreds Seek Shelter as Evacuations Expand
In Townsville, six low-lying suburbs have been designated as “black zones”, requiring immediate evacuation. More than 400 people have taken refuge in six emergency shelters, while hundreds more are expected to flee as conditions worsen.
Authorities also issued a dire warning for Bluewater, a coastal town north of Townsville, urging residents to leave immediately.
“Water is rising fast, and there will be dangerous and life-threatening flooding,” the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group stated.
This is the third time in six years that Townsville has suffered record-breaking floods, raising concerns about the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
Crocodile Warning Issued Amid Rising Waters
Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation has issued a crocodile alert, warning that the reptiles may have been displaced by the flooding.
“Expect crocodiles in all North and Far North Queensland waterways, even if there is no warning sign,” the department said.
Infrastructure Collapses as Relief Efforts Face Challenges
Emergency response efforts have been hampered by infrastructure damage, including the collapse of a bridge on the Bruce Highway, Queensland’s main north-south road. The disruption has left entire communities isolated.
Premier Crisafulli acknowledged the urgent need for long-term infrastructure improvements, stating,
“The north and all of regional Queensland are at the mercy of one road. There is an opportunity through disaster to build back better.”
Unprecedented Rainfall and Climate Impact
Meteorologists describe the flooding as one of the most extreme rainfall events on record. Some of the highest rainfall totals include:
- Rollingstone: 1,280 mm (50.3 inches) in one week
- Townsville region: Over 600 mm (23 inches) in several locations
- Cardwell: 490 mm (19.3 inches) in just 24 hours
- Paluma Dam: Over 1.2 meters (48 inches) of rain since Friday
The BOM has attributed the deluge to two low-pressure tropical systems, warning that extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
While forecasters expect rainfall to ease in the coming days, floodwaters will take time to recede, keeping thousands of residents on high alert.
News
Two Dead, Nearly 200 Injured as PSG Title Celebrations Turn Violent Across France

What began as jubilant celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League victory ended in violence and tragedy in parts of France, with two people killed and nearly 200 injured during street festivities that spiraled out of control.
Authorities confirmed on Sunday that a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the southwestern town of Dax during a PSG street gathering, while in Paris, a man died after his scooter was struck by a car amid the crowded celebrations. Both incidents are currently under investigation.
The unrest followed PSG’s dramatic win in Munich, where the club secured its first-ever Champions League title, marking a milestone in French football history. While fans across the country took to the streets to celebrate, several areas descended into violence.
According to the French Interior Ministry, a total of 294 people were arrested nationwide as of 2 a.m. Sunday. Of the nearly 200 injured, 21 were police officers—18 of them in Paris alone. One officer remains in a medically induced coma after being struck in the face by a firework.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence in a statement on social media. “True PSG fans are celebrating a magnificent achievement. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement,” he said. “It is unacceptable that people cannot celebrate without being endangered by a violent minority.”
Despite the unrest, the majority of gatherings were peaceful, authorities noted, with large crowds celebrating the historic win in cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Lille.
The PSG squad returned to Paris from Munich on Sunday afternoon aboard a Qatar Airways charter flight, arriving at 4 p.m. The team is expected to continue celebrations in the capital with tens of thousands of fans, under heightened security measures.
The violent turn of events has reignited debate in France over crowd control during major sporting celebrations, and how best to ensure public safety without dampening national enthusiasm.
PSG’s Champions League triumph marks a defining moment for the club, which has long pursued European glory. As the team prepares for a hero’s welcome, officials are urging fans to celebrate responsibly and respect public safety.
News
Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Russian Airfields, Hits Over 40 Strategic Bombers

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale drone strike on four Russian air bases over the weekend, targeting dozens of strategic bombers across vast swaths of Russian territory — from Siberia to the Arctic.
According to Ukrainian officials, the operation, codenamed “Spiderweb” (Pavutyna), was launched on June 1 and struck 41 long-range bombers stationed at airfields in Russia’s Ryazan, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, and Murmansk regions. The attack is being hailed by Kyiv as one of its most ambitious and far-reaching strikes since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” a senior SBU official said, noting that the operation was specifically designed to cripple Moscow’s airstrike capabilities. “This is a large-scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.”
The four airfields targeted were Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, Ivanovo in central Russia, Belaya air base in Irkutsk — over 4,000 kilometers from the front lines — and Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.
Ukrainian officials described the complex logistics of the operation, which involved covertly transporting drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them until the time of launch, and remotely executing the strikes. While specific details remain classified, Ukraine previously revealed it had developed drones with a flight range of up to 3,000 kilometers, enabling long-range operations like this.
Satellite imagery analyzed after the attack shows the presence of several high-value Russian aircraft types at the affected bases, including the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 radar planes. These aircraft have been central to Russia’s long-range missile campaign against Ukraine.
The Tu-22M3, for example, is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 4. The Tu-95, a Cold War-era bomber once designed to carry nuclear weapons, has been retrofitted to launch conventional cruise missiles. The A-50 aircraft provides airborne radar surveillance and target coordination for Russian forces.
The scale of the strike underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range capabilities and signals a shift in Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian air operations at their source. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held meetings with the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, along with the General Staff and SBU, to coordinate further defense and counter-offensive planning.
There has been no immediate official response from Moscow regarding the extent of damage caused.
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