Australia has begun a massive cleanup operation after record-breaking floods that killed five people and stranded tens of thousands. The floods in eastern Australia, particularly in New South Wales, caused widespread damage to over 10,000 properties and left hundreds of residents in evacuation centers.
Conditions have eased since Friday, but the situation remains dire. Despite improving weather, 52 rescues were made overnight, with many still in need of help. The death toll has risen to five, including a man in his 80s who was found dead at a flooded property.
The cleanup effort is being led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who announced the start of the operation. He stated that his government will work closely with federal, state, and local authorities to provide support to those affected.
The floods have caused significant disruptions, including train services and airport operations being affected by flooded tracks. Coastal areas are littered with debris and dead animals, a result of a powerful storm system that dumped months’ worth of rain in three days.
This is not the first time Australia has faced extreme weather events. The country has suffered from frequent flooding since early 2021, following droughts and bushfires at the end of the last decade. Experts have attributed these events to climate change.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/24/australia-begins-clean-up-after-floods-kill-5-strand-thousands