Death of 9 People Due to Storms in Australia

Australian authorities reported on Wednesday that nine people died following severe thunderstorms that struck the east of the country during the Christmas holiday, while power outages affected tens of thousands of homes. The storms hit the states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland on December 25 and 26, leading to heavy rainfall. Strong winds uprooted trees in some of the most affected areas. Katarina Carroll, Queensland's Police Commissioner, told reporters that three men died after a yacht carrying 11 people capsized near Green Island in Moreton Bay. The police also stated that the bodies of two women were found near the town of Gympie, about 180 kilometers north of Brisbane, the state capital, after being swept away by floodwaters. The body of a nine-year-old girl was found south of Brisbane. Authorities warned that the rapid rise in river and creek levels could lead to flooding and inundate camping areas along their banks, which are usually crowded during the Christmas and New Year holiday period. The police reported that the body of a woman was found in a campground in Victoria after the floodwaters receded. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology forecasted more rain, despite expectations of deteriorating weather later on Wednesday. While Australia experiences rainfall in the east, several areas in the west are battling wildfires. Media reports indicated that a volunteer firefighter died while performing his duties. Australia is currently experiencing a climate phenomenon known as El Niño, which can lead to extreme weather conditions ranging from bushfires and tropical cyclones to prolonged droughts.