7 of 10 SINKING and TILTING; Australia BACKWASHING: King tide, pushed rivers in the state's far north beyond their banks! Residents flee the rising flood waters in NSW and Queensland!

[Stanislav]

Australia TILTING and  BACKWASHING:

UPDATE:

/ King tide surge pushes into flooded northern rivers. By early last night, around 3000 people had been ordered from their homes as torrential rain, combined with a king tide, pushed rivers in the state's far north beyond their banks and they spilled onto surrounding roads and into low-lying houses and caravans. Source /

QLD:

/ Water continues to rise in Queensland!! /

/ Southeast Qld awash as deluge continues!! / 

Wiki -King tide is the popular name for an especially high tide. -

/ A king tide has caused localised flooding and erosion on beaches on Queensland's Gold Coast!!!Source/

/ Forecasters are predicting heavy storms on Wednesday afternoon and the Gold Coast's canal systems were swollen by a high tide that peaked at 11am (AEST). "With a very high tide making the canals back up, the situation could change rapidly," he told AAP. /

/One article!/ In Queensland, heavy falls have forced the release of water from Brisbane's biggest dam as the Gold Coast prepared for evacuations. /One article!/

/ A dozen homes have been partially flooded on the Sunshine Coast. Swift water rescuers responded to a report that people were trapped on the roof of a car partly submerged in floodwaters in Brisbane's west, a Department of Community Safety spokesman said. /

NSW:

/ Evacuations begin as northern NSW floods. Almost 2000 people have been evacuated from caravan parks and low-lying parts of northern NSW as the region braces for severe floods.The town remains cut in half, with its only bridge submerged and a small number of homes inundated. About 500 people remained isolated in Darkwood, upstream of Bellingen, with the SES now carrying out supply runs. Other calls for help came from flooded parts of Tweed Heads, Coffs Harbour and Murwillumbah. Flood warnings have been issued for every major river system between Taree and the Queensland border - a 500km stretch taking in dozens of towns. /

/ Hundreds cut off by flooding. Already 700 people have been isolated by the NSW floods and it is expected that number will rise. Up to 500 people have been cut off by flooding in northern NSW, with heavy rainfall set to continue throughout the week. About 500 residents of Darkwood became isolated after the Bellinger River flooded overnight, the State Emergency Service (SES) said today. // Search resumes for boy swept out to sea!! Police and emergency services have resumed their search for an eight-year-old who has been missing in rough waters off the NSW south coast for almost 40 hours. /

/One article!/ The majority came from Bellingen, parts of which remain cut off after the Bellinger River burst its banks. The town remains cut in half, its only bridge submerged and a small number of homes inundated. About 500 people remained isolated in Darkwood, upstream of Bellingen, with the SES now carrying out supply runs. Other calls for help came from flooded parts of Tweed Heads, Coffs Harbour and Murwillumbah. /One article!/

Images:

Videos:

Fiji SINKING:

/ Torrential rain has flooded large parts of Fiji's main island, Vitu Levu, forcing hundreds of people from their homes. /

/ Heavy rain continues to be experienced in Ba with flood water levels now rising more than 5 feet in some areas. The situation in Ba is expected to worsen with the high tide being experienced this hour. /

/ The situation is expected to worsen in the Western Division with the high tide coming in at this hour. /

/ With the high tide coming in at around 7 this morning, people can expect more flooding. /

/ Ba, one of the worst affected, is under about 15 feet of water.

/ In Naitasiri , it said rain has stopped and the water level for the Waimanu, Wainimala and Wainibuka is receding slowly. The four crossings Waima, Waila, Wainavida and Wainatoa still remain under water and inaccessible to traffic. The water level in the Rewa River is still rising due to high tide reaching the point of 2.73 metres. /

Pakistan SINKING FINISH:

/ Veterinary practitioners say that an increase in salinity has affected growth of natural grasses in the area, which can, in turn, cause health problems for animals. Moreover, there is no alternative source of drinking water other than a handful of old ponds. “A lack of natural grass and safe drinking water has increased the salinity of water in the area. This is a major problem for herdsmen,” said Dr. Munir Ahmed Jafrani, Deputy Director Veterinary Department, Thatta district. /

Australia:

Gold Coast prepares for flood evacuations


Preparations are being made to evacuate residents from homes and a caravan park on the Gold Coast as torrential rain continues.

Forecasters are predicting heavy storms on Wednesday afternoon and the Gold Coast's canal systems were swollen by a high tide that peaked at 11am (AEST).

"With a very high tide making the canals back up, the situation could change rapidly," he told AAP.

"We are not at the trigger point yet, but we are prepared to start door-knocking and telling people to leave their homes if that becomes necessary."

About 25 homes which are close to Loders Creek at Chirn Park could be evacuated if waters rise rapidly.

Authorities are also keeping a close eye on 30 people in a caravan park at Coombabah that may be threatened on Wednesday afternoon.

"The Disaster Management Group is currently monitoring weather conditions, and we need to be ready should the predicted storm for later today dump further heavy rain across the city," Disaster Co-ordinator Warren Day said.

"Areas such as Coombabah Lakes Caravan Park and Loders Creek at Southport are being monitored."

The water level in Hinze Dam, the city's main water supply, has risen by three metres in 48 hours.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/gold-coast-flood-thre...

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Evacuations begin as northern NSW floods

Almost 2000 people have been evacuated from caravan parks and low-lying parts of northern NSW as the region braces for severe floods.

The State Emergency Service (SES) ordered the evacuation of Fingal Head, a low-lying strip of coastal land south of Tweed Heads at 3pm (AEDT) on Wednesday.

It said more than 400 people were being moved from the area as the Tweed River threatened to overflow its banks.

At 1.30pm (AEDT) the SES ordered the immediate evacuation of half-a-dozen caravan parks in Chinderah, just south of Fingal Head.

More than 1500 people were asked to leave the area.

There are at least six caravan parks on the banks of the Tweed River, which was predicted to flood on Wednesday afternoon.

An evacuation centre was set up at Kingscliff TAFE on Cudgen Road, Kingscliff, the SES said.

Flood warnings have been issued for every major river system between Taree and the Queensland border - a 500km stretch taking in dozens of towns.

"It's easing slightly today. However, it's going to ramp up again probably tomorrow onwards and definitely into the weekend," a NSW State Emergency Service (SES) spokesman told AAP.

The SES received more 170 calls for help since flooding began in earnest on Tuesday morning.

The majority came from Bellingen, parts of which remain cut off after the Bellinger River burst its banks.

The town remains cut in half, with its only bridge submerged and a small number of homes inundated.

About 500 people remained isolated in Darkwood, upstream of Bellingen, with the SES now carrying out supply runs.

Other calls for help came from flooded parts of Tweed Heads, Coffs Harbour and Murwillumbah.

A group was rescued from a campsite in the Tweed Valley on Wednesday morning.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/evacuations-begin-as-...

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Search resumes for boy swept out to sea

Police and emergency services have resumed their search for an eight-year-old who has been missing in rough waters off the NSW south coast for almost 40 hours.

But they said Elakimu Muteba, who got into difficulties off Corrimal beach near Wollongong about 6.35pm on Monday, is unlikely to be alive, with rough conditions affecting the air, water and land search.

"The chances of survival, after nearly 40 hours, are absolutely minimal," Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters' chief executive Stephen Leahy said this morning.

Mr Leahy said very low cloud around the Botany Bay region and towards Wollongong meant the Westpac Life Saver helicopter was not yet able to rejoin the search this morning due to poor visibility.

Rescuers were looking for the boy in the same areas as yesterday - from Towradgi in the north through to North Wollongong - but would now also search the waters off Bellambi, he said.

"The currents are still travelling to the south. There's a number of rock ledges below the surface of the water and he might be trapped under one of the ledges."

Yesterday, some people watching the search told The Illawarra Mercury they were still hopeful Elakimu might be found alive.

"I know that it's impossible, but I just wish he was alive and they would find him clinging to a rock, or that he's been washed on to a beach somewhere," a woman, who was not named, said.

"I just keep thinking that his hand will pop up and he'll start waving for help."

The Congolese boy and his mother Therese Milolo had come to Australia as refugees about four years ago, settling in Towradgi.

Elakimu has twin two-year-old brothers.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/search-resumes-for-boy-swept-out-to-sea-2...
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Torrential rains cause havoc in southern Queensland, northern NSW and NT

Cars are submerged in a car park that regularly floods in heavy rains at the Toombul shopping centre, Nundah, Brisbane. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen Source: The Australian

TORRENTIAL rain continues to cause havoc in two states, as well as in the Top End.

QLD:In Queensland, heavy falls have forced the release of water from Brisbane's biggest dam as the Gold Coast prepared for evacuations.

South of the border, NSW coastal communities are bracing for further floods with heavy rainfall expected to heap more misery on the already sodden region.

And in the Northern Territory, Australia Day plans in are in doubt as heavy rain and winds buffet Darwin.

As part of the government's revised management policy since last year's floods, Brisbane's Wivenhoe dam operators Seqwater began releasing water at 10am on Wednesday, in a move that will affect local crossings and bridges.

Seqwater says there may be more releases if the deluge in southeast Queensland continues over the next 24 hours, as expected.

Latest Seqwater figures show Wivenhoe is at 76.3 per cent capacity, slightly above the 75 per cent full limit imposed as a safety measure during summer wet seasons.

Forecasters are predicting heavy storms on Wednesday afternoon for the Gold Coast, where the region's canal systems were swollen by a high tide that peaked at 11am.

A Gold Coast City Council spokesman said the Disaster Co-ordination Centre had been activated.

"With a very high tide making the canals back up, the situation could change rapidly," he said.

"We are not at the trigger point yet, but we are prepared to start door-knocking and telling people to leave their homes if that becomes necessary."

About 25 homes which are close to Loders Creek at Chirn Park could be evacuated if waters rise rapidly.

Authorities are also keeping a close eye on 30 people in a caravan park at Coombabah that may be threatened on Wednesday afternoon.

"The Disaster Management Group is currently monitoring weather conditions, and we need to be ready should the predicted storm for later today dump further heavy rain across the city," Disaster Co-ordinator Warren Day said.

"Areas such as Coombabah Lakes Caravan Park and Loders Creek at Southport are being monitored."

The water level in Hinze Dam, the city's main water supply, has risen by three metres in 48 hours.

In NSW, flood warnings are now in place on every major river system between Taree and the Queensland border - a 500 kilometre stretch taking in dozens of towns.

"It's easing slightly today, however it's going to ramp up again probably tomorrow onwards and definitely into the weekend," a NSW State Emergency Service spokesman said.

The SES has received more 170 calls for help since flooding began in earnest on Tuesday morning.

NSW:The majority came from Bellingen, parts of which remain cut off after the Bellinger River burst its banks.

The town remains cut in half, its only bridge submerged and a small number of homes inundated.

About 500 people remained isolated in Darkwood, upstream of Bellingen, with the SES now carrying out supply runs.

Other calls for help came from flooded parts of Tweed Heads, Coffs Harbour and Murwillumbah.

Twelve people were rescued from floodwater near Urunga on Tuesday afternoon.

A group were rescued from a campsite in the Tweed Valley on Wednesday morning.

Emergency services are particularly concerned about the safety of motorists and holidaymakers on Australia Day.

"Just do not enter any flood water and stay well clear of any causeways and creeks," the SES spokesman added.

Police urged motorists to slow down or delay journeys entirely until weather conditions improve.

In Darwin, the annual Australia Day "ute run", in which enthusiasts decorate their utes and drive them to a greyhound track, was cancelled on Wednesday because the track was flooded.

An Australian rules football match in the Tiwi Islands will also not be held as planned on Thursday.

The executive director of the Northern Territory Australia Day Council, Katrina Fong Lim, said there would be discussions to decide whether other events, including a popular fun run, would go ahead.

A spokeswoman for Darwin City Council said a citizenship and flag-raising ceremony were being held indoors and would proceed as planned, but no final decision had been made on whether a flyover by air force jets and a 21-gun salute would go ahead.

Darwin and surrounding areas have been hit by wild weather since Tuesday. Strong wind gusts have knocked down trees and caused power cuts.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Ashley Patterson said a city rain gauge had recorded 229mm in the 24 hours to 9am (CST) Wednesday.

Winds have gusted up to 93kmh at Darwin Airport.

Mr Patterson said the weather should improve a little on Thursday, but the forecast remains for strong winds and heavy rain.

"It is still a fairly vigorous monsoon flurry north of the low, so it could be quite wet at times," Mr Patterson said.

He said people intending to have barbecues in Darwin should make sure they are on the sheltered sides of buildings.

On Wednesday a severe weather warning was issued, with the possibility of flash flooding over the Darwin-Daly and northern Arnhem districts.

The NT Emergency Service has advised people to secure loose outside objects and seek shelter when the conditions deteriorate.

Meanwhile the chances of a cyclone forming off the Northern Territory coast on Thursday have been downgraded from moderate to low.

A low chance means the likelihood of a cyclone forming is between five per cent and 20 per cent.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/torrential-rains-cause-...

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Southeast Qld awash as deluge continues


Torrential rain has forced the release of water from Brisbane's biggest dam as part of the government's revised management policy since last year's floods.

Wivenhoe dam operators Seqwater began releasing water at 10am (AEST) on Wednesday, a move that will affect local crossings and bridges.

Seqwater says there may be more releases if the deluge in southeast Queensland continues over the next 24 hours, as expected.
Latest Seqwater figures show Wivenhoe is at 76.3 per cent capacity, slightly above the 75 per cent full limit imposed as a

safety measure during summer wet seasons.

Meanwhile, Queensland's southeast is awash, with hundreds of roads closed and some homes evacuated amid forecasts of torrential rain extending into next week.

Hundreds of millimetres of rain have fallen in Brisbane and on the Gold and Sunshine coasts, and there have been 16 swift-water rescues since 7pm (AEST) on Tuesday.

Two women were found safe on Wednesday after their car was swept off Old Gympie Road in the Glasshouse Mountains, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, on Tuesday night.

A severe weather warning remains in place for the swamped southeast, where commuter services have also been thrown into chaos.

Since 9am (AEST) on Tuesday, 284mm of rain has fallen on the Sunshine Coast.

The average rainfall between the Sunshine and Gold coasts since 9am on Tuesday was between 150mm and 250mm, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

The rain band is expected to move south on Wednesday, with residents in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim, Somerset and Lockyer Valley warned to closely monitor conditions.

Brisbane's northern suburbs have been the worst hit, with eight local areas recording 200mm or more.

The State Emergency Service has received more than 800 calls for help in the southeast in the last day and a half, mainly for leaking roofs and requests for sandbags.

The Seqwater Flood Operations Centre has been mobilised, and Seqwater is making releases from the North Pine and Leslie Harrison dams.

At this stage, no releases are being made from the Wivenhoe and Somerset dams but that could change.

"Drainage operations may commence during the day to reduce Somerset and Wivenhoe back to full supply levels," Seqwater said on Wednesday.

"These releases are expected to impact Twin Bridges and Savages Crossing, and may affect Colleges Crossing. If further heavy rainfall occurs during the next 24 hours, it may be necessary to increase releases.

"At this stage no urgent flooding is expected."

The high tide is expected to peak in Brisbane at 10.55am, at 2.46 metres, causing more localised flooding in low-lying areas.

The Bureau of Meteorology says heavy rain is expected into next week.

"It will rain but not as heavily as we have seen for the past 24 hours," senior forecaster Vikash Prasaad told AAP on Wednesday morning.

"Next week there will another rain band like this. It looks heavy. The whole of Queensland might get a drenching with that one."

Emergency Management Queensland director of operations Warren Bridson says he expects the disaster response to be ramped up on Wednesday if the rain continues.

Evacuation centres have been opened at Narangba and Deception Bay, north of Brisbane, with about a dozen homes evacuated in Burpengary on Tuesday.

Several schools have been closed in the southeast.

There are also reports of flooding in the inland town of Charleville.

The eight public and private schools that remain closed are:

- Darlington State School, near Beaudesert

- Cameron Downs State School, near Hughenden

- Sandgate District State High School, north of Brisbane

- Stretton State College, on Brisbane's southside

- Cedar Creek State School, near Beenleigh

- Assisi College, Coomera

- Trinity College, Beenleigh

- St Mary's Primary, Beaudesert

Premier Anna Bligh says many people across the southeast will be feeling anxious as the big wet continues.

"I know this will be a very worrying time for people who experienced the floods last year," she told reporters.
Ms Bligh will attend a meeting of the State Disaster Management Group later on Wednesday.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/national/12712250/two-qld-wome...

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Water continues to rise in Queensland


Farms in south east Queensland are being drenched again today as heavy rain continues to lash the region.

More than 250mm has fallen in 24 hours in the dairy farming and horticulture-growing areas on the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Lindsay Tipmarsh farms on the Mary River between Maryborough and Hervey Bay and says nearly 100mm fell overnight.

He says the paddocks at his cattle breeding property are very boggy.

"They might turn yellow if it gets much wetter," Mr Tipmarsh says.

"I'd like it to stop now for a month because the country goes sour if we get too much,

"It's nothing like last year yet; that was the worst we'd had for 30 years."

There's a severe weather warning for heavy rain for parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett, south east coast and the Darling Downs and Granite Belt.

A strong wind warning is current for coastal waters from Double Island Point to Point Danger, including Moreton Bay.

There are also flood warnings for several rivers in the south east, west and north of the state.

The bureau says the heaviest falls will move south today over Brisbane and the Gold Coast before easing tomorrow.

The Warrego Highway between Roma and Miles is closed as is the Roma-Injune road and the Leichhardt Highway is closed at a number of major floodways.

Steve Stiller says the 270 mm he recorded at 'Jindabyne' south of Dulacca was the biggest 24 hour total he's ever had.

"We had about two inches yesterday afternoon before dark," he says.

"It started raining about five o'clock I guess and it kept on raining after that and about ten o'clock we had 170 mm and then we had another storm this morning at about two o'clock, so another 100 mm in our rain gauge this morning."

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201201/s3415157.htm

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Hundreds cut off by flooding


Already 700 people have been isolated by the NSW floods and it is expected that number will rise.

Up to 500 people have been cut off by flooding in northern NSW, with heavy rainfall set to continue throughout the week.

About 500 residents of Darkwood became isolated after the Bellinger River flooded overnight, the State Emergency Service (SES) said today.
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Town split in two ... the Bellinger River at Lavender's Bridge, Bellingen, has burst its banks. Photo: Greg McLagan

It comes after parts of Bellingen, south-west of Coffs Harbour, became inaccessible yesterday afternoon as the Bellinger River flooded low-lying areas of the town, cutting it in two.

The town's only bridge was submerged, with 11 roads closed and several homes suffering minor flooding.

Residents in remote parts of Thora and Kalang, west and south-west of Bellingen, were also cut off, with several homes flooded.

SES spokeswoman Becky Gollings said volunteers had been called out to 65 jobs in the past 24 hours, including eight jobs overnight.

This included calls from 12 people who got cut off downstream near Urunga.

"Our main concerns at the moment are Bellingen and Darkwood," Ms Gollings said.

However, she said the residents of Darkwood were "no strangers to flooding" and tended to be prepared for periods of isolation.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued flood warnings for the Bellinger, Nambucca and Orara rivers as a slow-moving area of low pressure moved over the state, bringing heavy rain.

Further heavy rainfall has been forecast for the region today, easing briefly tomorrow before returning on Friday and over the weekend.

"This is of some concern to us as these catchment areas have already had a good soaking," Ms Gollings said.

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/hundreds-cut-off-by-flood...
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Qld braces for more wet weather


Homes have reportedly been flooded and authorities began releasing water from a Brisbane dam as heavy downpours lash the state's southeast.

And the already drenched region is bracing for more severe weather and thunderstorms this afternoon.

A dozen homes have been partially flooded on the Sunshine Coast after the region was hit with 81 millimetres of rain in just one hour on Tuesday, the ABC reports.

Swift water rescuers responded to a report that people were trapped on the roof of a car partly submerged in floodwaters in Brisbane's west, a Department of Community Safety spokesman said.

On arrival rescuers found three people and their car safe on the side of a swollen creek at Kenmore Hills.

Meanwhile, SEQ Water has begun releases from the Leslie Harrison Dam in Brisbane's eastern suburbs and is expected to begin releasing water from North Pine Dam, north of Brisbane.

The water authority says Wivenhoe Dam will be monitored but is unlikely to need water released in the next 24 hours.

The weather bureau is warning of more severe weather for southeast Queensland, including a thunderstorm in the Moreton Bay Region, north of Brisbane.

The Bureau of Meteorology's severe weather manager Vikash Prasad says heavy rain is expected for the entire southeast between Goondiwindi on the Queensland-NSW border and Hervey Bay.

The severe weather warning also covers the eastern Darling Downs, he said.

There are also thunderstorm warnings for Mt Isa, Winton and Charleville in the state's north and the Moreton Bay region of the southeast, Mr Prasad said.

State emergency volunteers were responding to 230 callouts for leaky roofs and minor inundation around the state on Tuesday afternoon, a Department of Community Safety spokeswoman said.

About 50 callouts were to homes in the north coast region, from the Sunshine Coast to Bundaberg.

About 100 Brisbane residents had called state emergency volunteers for help, the spokeswoman said.

http://www.skynews.com.au/national/article.aspx?id=710959&vId=

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Residents flee the rising flood waters in NSW and Queensland


HEAVY rain forced 2500 people to flee their homes and caravans as rivers in the state's north began to burst their banks after two days of torrential rain.

More than 600 SES volunteers began evacuating people from the Chinderah, Fingal Head, South Murwillumbah, Condong and Tumbulgum regions as the Tweed river flooded with the Bureau of Meteorology warning the wet weather is set to intensify.

More than 520mm of rain fell across the region since Tuesday and the bureau predicted a further 300mm would lash the region over 24 hours as La Nina threatened to bring a repeat of last year's floods to the region.
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Queensland 2012 Floods

An evacuation centre was set up at Kingscliff TAFE in Murwillumbah with flood warnings in place on every major river system between Taree and the Queensland border - a 500km stretch taking in dozens of towns.

State Emergency Service commissioner Murray Kear warned residents upstream at Murwillumbah they could also be evacuated.

"The Bureau of Meteorology advises me that the rain will continue at this intensity for the next 24 to 48 hours," he said. "Then there might be a small reprieve on Friday but back again with a vengeance on the weekend, possibly through to Tuesday."

Rescue efforts were hampered after a mudslide in Murwillumbah severely damaged a shed where the local SES stored its equipment.

Twelve people were rescued from rising floodwater near Urunga on Tuesday while a further nine people were rescued yesterday including four in Mullumbimby.

A group was rescued from a campsite in the Tweed Valley.

The SES received more than 330 calls for help.

 Most have come from Bellingen, which remains cut in half after its only bridge was swamped when the Bellinger River burst its banks.

Several homes were inundated while about 500 people remain isolated upstream at Darkwood, with SES carrying out supply runs.

Mr Kear said the SES was urging holidaymakers to delay their trip back home and for those in the flood-hit areas to avoid driving.

"Our normal advice is to take care on the roads but we're now advising people in these areas to stay off the roads," Mr Kear said.

It was worse north of the border, where nervous residents feared a repeat of last year's devastating floods that ripped through the Lockyer Valley and Brisbane.

In 24 hours to 8am yesterday Redcliffe in Brisbane's north recorded 234mm of rain - its heaviest in more than 30 years - as 168mm fell over the CBD, the biggest downpour in 13 years.

Some flights were diverted from Brisbane Airport, which recorded its heaviest rain in 16 years but remained open.

Power was cut to thousands of homes across southeast Queensland, where the SES received 1076 calls for assistance and crews performed 26 "swift water rescues" with all but one caused by motorists trying to cross flooded roads.

Additional water was being released from Brisbane's biggest dam, Wivenhoe, after it reached 76 per cent of capacity, 1 per cent more than the maximum limit for summer wet seasons set after last year's deadly floods.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the release rate of 350cu m a second was far below the 6000 to 7000cu m per second that was released during last year's floods.

The Weather Channel's senior meteorologist Tom Saunders said Dorrigo in northern NSW received about 400mm of rain in the past three days.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/residents-flee-the-rising-flo...

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Fiji:

Flood disaster on Fiji's main island

Torrential rain has flooded large parts of Fiji's main island, Vitu Levu, forcing hundreds of people from their homes.

Officials say two farmers have been killed and more than 1,000 people are taking shelter in evacuation centres.

Roads to the western part of the island have been cut off.

Officials say the army has been called in to help foreign tourists reach Nadi airport

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201201/s3415163.htm

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Flood water rise to 5 feet in Ba

Heavy rain continues to be experienced in Ba with flood water levels now rising more than 5 feet in some areas.

The situation in Ba is expected to worsen with the high tide being experienced this hour.

Special Administrator for Ba, Arun Prasad said what they are facing at the moment is close to what Ba experienced in 2009.

http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=story&id=240112ce86134e99b05991...

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Situation expected to worsen

The situation is expected to worsen in the Western Division with the high tide coming in at this hour.

This according to the Deputy Divisional Police Commander Western SSP Jope Ralulu.

There is an audio file attached to this story. Please login to listen.

Looking at Nadi, District Officer Peni Koro said some people are stranded in Nadi as they cannot cross the Namotomoto Bridge in Nadi and with the high tide at 7.20 this morning, water levels is expected to rise again.

There is an audio file attached to this story. Please login to listen.

Navakai Nadi resident, Naushad Ali said water level is still rising and more than 50 houses have been affected by flood waters.

He said that they rescued some 30 people on a boat after flood waters started to reach their homes.

In Drasa Seaside Lautoka about 20 people are stranded on their rooftops as flood waters continues to rise.

A resident Mrs Nirbhay Chand said 10 houses are under flood waters adding that they are still in their homes and are preparing to move out of it as they have around 2 feet flood water in their compound.

Lautoka Police have rescued a number of families in the last few hours that were surrounded by flood waters.
 
The rescue team took out people from Lomolomo, Naviyago and Vitogo.

For people who need to evacuate should contact their nearest Police station.

Also, Ba police have rescued people from Vatulaulau, Nailaga and Nauvoli in the last hour.

http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=story&id=250112531a8e36a27e872c...

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More flooding expected

With the high tide coming in at around 7 this morning, people can expect more flooding.

The Nadi Weather Forecaster said the high tide will take place at about 7:20am which will increase the water levels in Nadi, Ba and Lautoka which are already flooded from the heavy rain.

A severe flood warning remains in force for major rivers, streams and low lying areas of western Viti Levu.

An active trough of low pressure lies slow moving over Fiji especially over Lautoka, Nadi and Ba.

Forecast to midnight for the Fiji group:

Further periods of rain, heavy at times and squally thunderstorms.

Elsewhere, flooding of low lying areas expected.

Moderate to fresh northerly winds, gusty at times.  

Seas are expected to be rough.

http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=story&id=250112163a59b24a1c68e1...

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24-hour lull in the rain


Update: 12:45PM RAIN halted temporarily at 10am today after three days of torrential rain but there is more rain to come.

The Nadi weather office said there would be a 24-hour lull before the same band of rain that lashed the Western Division, causing widespread flooding,  follows the same route back.

Travel on the Queens Road has been restricted as floodwaters continue to ravage the region.

Thousands of people remain stranded in the affected regions as DISMAC teams review the situation to determine further course of action.

Ba, one of the worst affected, is under about 15 feet of water.

According to a Ministry of Information statement, the water level has receded in Nayavu and Wailotua Bridge, but it remains inaccessible to all vehicles.

In Naitasiri , it said rain has stopped and the water level for the Waimanu, Wainimala and Wainibuka is receding slowly.

The four crossings Waima, Waila, Wainavida and Wainatoa still remain under water and inaccessible to traffic.

The water level in the Rewa River is still rising due to high tide reaching the point of 2.73 metres.

The road leading to Vunisinu and Nalase is now clear. Toga crossing is now underwater. Motorists and pedestrians are warned to take extra care while using the crossing.

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=191721

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Pakistan:

Floods, cyclones having detrimental effect on the ecology of coastal areas
 

Herdsmen living in the remote coastal villages of Pakistan are facing serious problems due to rapidly shrinking growth of vegetation. Veterinary practitioners say that an increase in salinity has affected growth of natural grasses in the area, which can, in turn, cause health problems for animals. Moreover, there is no alternative source of drinking water other than a handful of old ponds.

“A lack of natural grass and safe drinking water has increased the salinity of water in the area. This is a major problem for herdsmen,” said Dr. Munir Ahmed Jafrani, Deputy Director Veterinary Department, Thatta district.

While sharing findings about the status of livestock in the area of Jati, he said that “Natural disasters such as cyclones and floods have left saline sea water where there used to natural green pastures. This has affected tree cover and the fertility of the soil. All the natural lakes which used to provide potable water and were source of living for hundreds of families have been depleted and have lost their beauty.”

A majority of the herders do not have access to veterinary doctors. Some village elders have indigenous knowledge for treating livestock diseases through grinding plants and seeds. However, since cyclones and floods have become increasingly frequent, nearly all of these natural products are no longer available to them. Now when they fear that their livestock is unwell, they have to take the animals to a near-by town for treatment, which is extremely costly option.

Dr Jafrani also said that “some herbal items are still available in local markets in adulterated form. But many farmers do not recognize exact items, which they use for animal’s treatment. As a result, instead of saving their animals by providing self-made medicines, they lose their valuable assets.”

He has been assigned the task of providing basic training to traditional herders, whose assets are vulnerable to natural calamities and seasonal diseases. Since the winter weather is dangerous for animals, he is conducting a training session for herders in which he teaches them how to protect their animals through medicine and by ensuring precautionary checks by veterinary inspectors.

Recently, he visited Jati town, where he facilitated 60 herders belonging to 30 distant coastal villages, and showed them how to vaccinate their animals in case of a viral outbreak or seasonal disease.

A community based training on disaster risk management and livelihood program in drought, flood and cyclone-prone areas was arranged by Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) with the support of Oxfam GB and European Union. The participants were taught the importance of livestock farm management, combating diseases during rainfall and the process of vaccination and giving medicine.

Mai Hanifa Richio, wife of Ibrahim Richio, belongs to the remote village of Talib Richio. She has 15 goats and buffaloes. After acquiring the basic know how, she claims to have been able to vaccinate her animals. “Our males go to fishing while females are responsible of taking care of the animals back at home. We have to collect fodder and wander the whole day with animals,” says Hanifa.

“Living so close to the sea has made us used to facing such hardships. Storms hit our abodes, wiping out our makeshift shelters. We just build again and try to make it livable”.

Ahmed Thaimor, the owner of four buffaloes, said a devastating cyclone which hit the area in 1999, nearly wiped out his entire herd. The disaster had ravaged the area, killing human and animals alike, and displacing hundreds of people. “I was among the few lucky people who were able to save one or two animals. Since then whenever I face financial crunch, I have to sell an animal to keep the family fed” he says.

His village is located 15-km away from the coastal town of Jati, which he said is at the mouth of all the disasters, cyclones, floods, high tides and droughts. Though Thaimor has received primary education, and is a fisherman by profession, he enjoys keeping animals at home, and rears live-stock as a source of income.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=89283&Cat=4

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[Phil Melton]

Incredible!  Especially in Queensland! 

[Stanislav]

"Torrential rain, combined with a king tide, pushed rivers in the state's far north beyond their banks and they spilled onto surrounding roads and into low-lying houses and caravans."

I updated the blog, here they are recognized directly into the backwash!