Multiple evacuation orders were issued in Australia’s Sydney, as an ongoing deluge of rain has saturated the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW).
The NSW has been hit by repeated flash flooding in recent months.
The state’s Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued more flood warnings on Thursday, as six-hour rainfall was likely to reach up to 120 mm, and 180 mm over coastal areas.
Residents in parts of the NSW coast and low-lying areas, such as Woronora and Bonnet Bay, were told to evacuate soon.
The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) said anyone unable to stay with family or friends could head to an evacuation centre that had been established in Menai.
A flood watch had also been issued for central NSW and south coast rivers.
The rainfall is expected to continue over the Metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra, and parts of the south coast and southern tablelands.
It might also cause minor flooding in the Central Coast, Shoalhaven, Clyde, and Moruya River from Thursday afternoon into Friday.
Sydney had now passed its annual long-term average rainfall total, in spite of it only being early April.
Wednesday’s rainfall had taken its total for the year to 1,226.8 mm, above the annual average of 1,213.4 mm, according to the Australian Associated Press (AAP).
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BOM said heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and more flash flooding.
Severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall were also possible inland until Friday.
