Central Australia faces prolonged rainfall and inland flooding
While Victoria has been exposed to short, intense storm bursts, Central Australia and surrounding inland regions are facing several days of sustained rainfall linked to a slow‑moving low‑pressure trough. The BoM has issued a widespread flooding risk for parts of the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia, including remote desert areas that typically receive low annual rainfall. The system has already produced significant totals. In the Northern Territory, 79mm was recorded at The Granites and 78mm at Jervois in the 24 hours from 9am on Feb. 24. Southwestern Queensland sites reported 69mm at Bedourie and 52mm at Noocatunga, while in northwestern New South Wales, Winithe recorded 120mm and Smithville 51mm. In South Australia, Moomba recorded 36mm, with further falls forecast. “These regions are expected to receive a further 100mm to 200mm of rainfall during this week,” BOM senior meteorologist Angus Hines said, as reported by News.com.au. For the Simpson, Strzelecki, Sturt Stony, and Tirari deserts, which normally receive about 100mm in an entire year, modelling points to totals of up to 400mm over a relatively short period. “As a lower pressure area lingers over the next several days, a daily total of 50mm to 100mm is possible, with higher amounts where thunderstorms develop,” Hines said.