Severe flooding again in northeastern Australia. Founder of leading Chinese AI company dies suddenly

Heavy rainfall following tropical storm ‘Jasper’ continues to keep northeastern Australia in suspense.

According to Australian media, the coastal city of Cairns in Queensland was cut off from the area. The access roads to the north, south and west were flooded and the airport had to be closed. Parked planes lay in the water. “Cairns is now an island in the far north of Queensland,” the ABC broadcaster reported.

“This flood is the worst flood ever recorded in Cairns – and it is significantly more severe,” James Cook University hydrologist Jonathan Nott told the broadcaster. It is up to 40 percent higher than the previous high set in 1977.

According to a report by Australian news agency AAP, the community of Wujal Wujal, north of Cairns, would be completely evacuated. A group of people, including a seven-year-old child, were waiting on the roof of a hospital. In some parts of North Queensland, rainfall totals exceeded 1,000 liters per square meter. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the military would send additional troops to the flood areas.

According to AAP, a saltwater crocodile has been captured in the small town of Ingham. The 8-foot-long animal was spotted swimming through the streets in floodwaters.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper hit the northeastern coast of Australia last Wednesday. It then weakened into a low-pressure area, but continued to blanket the region with record-breaking rainfall. These should decrease on Monday and the low will move further north. In the tropical latitudes south of the equator it is now the summer rainy season. (saw/sda/dpa)