Australia battles wildfires in the west and floods in the east

Australia is being hit by two major natural disasters, including wildfires burning the picturesque west coast and heavy rains causing flooding in the east.

After weeks of high temperatures, fires broke out in Western Australia, in the tourist area of ​​Margaret River, which is known for its wine and surfing.

No injuries or damage were reported to buildings, but large flames were visible over large areas, sending large piles of smoke into the sky.

Authorities sounded the alarm and asked some residents to leave their homes and move to safer places.

“Act immediately to survive,” was the message sent by the state fire department.

At a time when the Australian coast, which is bathed by the Indian Ocean, is experiencing temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius, the other side of Australia, the one in the Pacific Ocean, has been affected by rain for months.

“A low barometric field formed off the south coast of New South Wales, causing heavy rainfall and significant flooding,” the Meteorological Agency said in a statement.

In some areas south of Sydney, which were hit by the worst forest fires in the country’s history just two years ago, the water level has risen 21 centimeters in the last 24 hours.

November was the month with the heaviest rainfall in 122 years and was among the coldest November ever recorded in the country due to the La Nina meteorological event.

According to scientists, extreme weather events have worsened due to climate change due to human activity.

In recent years Australia has experienced a series of severe floods, massive forest fires and periods of drought.

SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ