Australia's emergency services ordered thousands of residents in Sydney to evacuate today after overflowing rivers flooded large areas as a result of a third straight day of heavy rain on the east coast, AFP reported.

Dozens of people have been rescued, many trapped in their cars in New South Wales.

About 32,000 people in the state must evacuate, said Ashley Sullivan, a representative of the emergency services.

Heavy rain prompts further evacuations in Sydney

"River levels are rising rapidly, much faster than expected," he said, warning that in some places levels could be exceeded by deadly floods on Australia's east coast over the past two years.

More than 20 people died in March of this year after water flooded houses up to their roofs and cars were swept off the road. 

floods

Sydney

evacuation