News
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
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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