Emergency warnings remained in place for southeastern Australia today as flooding caused by days of heavy rain affected three states and hundreds of people had to be rescued, Reuters reported.

Flood warnings were in place for large parts of Victoria state, southern New South Wales and northern parts of the island state of Tasmania as more than a month's worth of rain fell in the south-east earlier this week.

Large parts of Australia's eastern states have been hit by severe flooding since the start of 2022, with the country currently experiencing its third successive La Niña weather event, bringing torrential rain.

Although the floods have receded in some areas today, in others, such as the town of Shepparton, north-east of Melbourne, the weather forecast shows the worst is yet to come.

Thousands evacuated due to floods in Australia

The National Weather Service, the Bureau of Meteorology, said major flooding was possible in Shepparton overnight Saturday.

ABC forecaster Jonathan Howe said that although the heavy rain had passed, flooding was still widespread and river levels in the area were expected to remain high for at least several weeks.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said yesterday that the government was ready to provide assistance to those affected by the floods and that Australian Defense Force personnel had been deployed to provide assistance.

Flood clean-ups were underway in Melbourne's west after the Maribyrnong River burst its banks yesterday.

Footage on social media shows Melbourne residents removing water from their homes.

Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters that 344 roads were closed in the state and that 3,000 had been submitted for emergency payments to cover damage.

Melbourne and other cities in Australia are under water

He said about 500 properties were isolated and more flooding was possible as waters continued to rise in some areas.

Emergency services in the state of Victoria said more than 350 people had been rescued from the floods.

emergency situation

floods in Australia