Wild wet weather is battering Australia, which has long been thirsting for precipitation. During 2007, the country suffered its worst drought on record. But 2008 has finally brought rain—too much rain.

Heavy storms over the weekend have deluged communities across eastern Australia in what the bbc reports to be the worst floods in 20 years.

Parts of the country’s most populous state, New South Wales, have been cut off by heavy rain and have been declared natural disaster zones. There are similar problems further north in Queensland, which has also been battered by wild conditions. … Thunderstorms since late last week have dumped huge amounts of rain on Australia’s east coast. Many rivers have been unable to cope and their banks have burst. Roads have been turned into lakes and bridges have been washed away. Entire towns in northern New South Wales have been cut off, while rising flood waters have forced hundreds of residents to leave their homes. In some areas, food and other essential supplies for trapped residents have been brought in by helicopter. “There are some 3,000 people who remain isolated by floodwaters,” New South Wales State Emergency Service spokesman Phil Campbell told the French newsagency afp. Some people in isolated areas could remain cut off for as long as a week, he said.

Storms in Queensland have caused flash flooding, and Northern Territory communities are recovering from damage inflicted by Cyclone Helen over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the main road from eastern Australia to the west coast closed Monday due to an out-of-control fire that has already killed three truckers. Though the blaze, which has burned 111,200 acres, remains dangerous, some officials are calling for the road to be opened regardless due to the negative impact its closure has on interstate trade.

After months of record drought, the rain and subsequent damage contains bitter irony.

The bbc reports, “More summer rain is anticipated but climatologists believe it is far too early to declare Australia’s drought to finally be over.

“They say that the continent’s long dry spell has built up massive rainfall deficits that will take a lot more than one reasonable wet season to fix” (January 7).

For understanding on the causes of disastrous weather patterns like those barraging Australia, read “The Cause of Weather Crises.”