After the devastating forest fire crisis, which is still not over, dust storms and hailstorms descended on Sunday evening and Monday in various regions of eastern Australia, constituting new challenges in areas already affected by fire.
Sunday evening, a shower of huge hailstones fell on the city of Melbourne, capital of Victoria (south). Parts of this southern state were also showered with heavy rain, disrupting the Australian Open tennis tournament.
"It was like in an apocalyptic film"
Forest fires occur every year in Australia, but the fire season was particularly early and intense this time, due to prolonged drought in the huge island continent. The lands that have burned since September together form a larger area than Portugal. In addition to destroying more than 2,000 homes, the fires also killed at least 29 people. The crisis is also ecological since the researchers estimate that a billion animals could have perished.
Spectacular images filmed during the weekend in the State of New South Wales showed the progression of a gigantic wall of dust over localities in the hinterland (Outback). Residents described the darkness occurring during the day. "We are used to having to quickly pick up the laundry, turn off the air conditioning and close doors and windows before a dust storm arrives," said Ashleigh Hull, in the city of Dubbo. But the storm was "much more spectacular," she said. "Honestly, it was like in an apocalyptic film, a huge wave coming, really impressive, but I would prefer that it brings rain and not dust," she said.
The forest fire season far from over
Canberra was also the scene of a heavy hailstorm that ripped branches from trees. Emergency services asked people to keep their cars safe and not leave them under trees or power lines. The Meteorological Bureau urged residents of south-eastern New South Wales to prepare for the arrival of the storm. "Severe thunderstorms are likely to cause damage, destructive winds, sometimes huge hailstones and heavy precipitation that could cause flash floods in the next few hours," said the bureau.
In Victoria, where fires are still burning, overnight precipitation was greeted with relief, but authorities also warned of the risks associated with the heavy rains, including the possibility of landslides. They also observed that despite this precipitation, the forest fire season was far from over.
Planet
Climate: After a record decade, “a lot” of extreme weather phenomena expected in 2020
Planet
VIDEO. Australia: Thirsty Koala Drinks Rainwater From Tar
- Severe weather
- Hail
- Video
- Fire
- Storm
- Australia
- World