Heavy rainfall in Queensland has led to significant flooding in Birdsville, with the Diamantina River experiencing a dramatic rise of four metres within just 24 hours, according to Weatherzone. The Bureau of Meteorology has indicated that the town is set to face a significant peak in water levels early tomorrow morning.
On Sunday afternoon, river levels measured at 2.25 metres, but by 9am on Monday, the figure had surged to 4.8 metres. As of 9am today, levels reached an alarming 8.5 metres. However, this rise does not surpass the historic flood of 1974, which saw waters exceed 9.4 metres.
Although rainfall has abated for the moment, the substantial volume of water that has accumulated across the state over several days of sustained, and at times, heavy rain will take time to drain. It must traverse hundreds of kilometres before reaching Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, the lowest natural point in Australia.