Floods in southeastern Australia have killed five people and isolated tens of thousands, prompting the government to airlift supplies to stranded farmers. At least 10,000 properties were damaged, and around 32,000 residents remain cut off due to floodwaters slowly receding.
Helicopters began airdropping animal feed on Sunday to farmers affected by the disaster, which has destroyed homes and swept away livestock. The New South Wales government is providing emergency aid, including food, veterinary care, and management advice, to isolated farmers.
The state’s Emergency Services reported 43 helicopter drops and over 130 other deliveries, providing emergency fodder for stranded livestock. Conditions remain critical in flood-affected regions as clean-up efforts begin.
The floods are the latest extreme weather event to hit Australia, following droughts and devastating bushfires at the end of last decade. The country has been experiencing an increase in frequent floods since early 2021, which some experts attribute to climate change.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/australian-authorities-airdrop-supplies-farmers-stranded-by-flood-crisis-2025-05-25