AUSTRALIA: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared a national emergency Wednesday to speed up the delivery of aid to parts of the country’s east coast that have been devastated by widespread, record floods for several weeks.
What they’re saying: The national emergency declaration will “ensure all our emergency powers are available and that we cut through any red tape we might face in delivering services and support on the ground,” Morrison said in the press release. Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets.
About 60,000 people were under evacuation orders as of Tuesday due to the severe rains and flash floods that have killed at least 20 people.
Parts of Sydney have received nearly four inches of rain in 24 hours. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the city has had its wettest start to any year on record since 1956, with areas already seeing more than 34 inches of rain in 2022.
Australia’s Government also outlined new aid measures, including additional disaster payments to adults and children affected by the flooding, and funding to support legal assistance services and the mental health of schoolchildren, among other efforts. Heavy rains are more likely in eastern Australia during La Niña years, which feature milder ocean temperatures in parts of the western tropical Pacific Ocean. The outlook for the fall in Australia shows continued wetter-than-average conditions in the eastern part of the country, and these can be tied to the La Niña pattern.
– THE MALAY MAIL