Heavy rainfall caused by Tropical Cyclone "Jasper" has isolated several tourist towns in northeastern Australia along the Great Barrier Reef as of Monday, with a crocodile captured from a rainwater drain. The cyclone led to massive rainfall in northern Queensland earlier this week, forcing some people to flee their homes and gather on rooftops to escape rapidly rising rivers. Queensland Premier Steven Miles told ABC News, "The problem is that the rain is not going to stop, and until it calms down, we won't be able to send air support to remote areas."
According to videos broadcast by the media, environmental officials in Ingham, a submerged town with about 5,000 residents, captured a crocodile measuring 2.8 meters in a rainwater drain beside a gas station.
However, it is common to see crocodiles in northern Queensland's rivers, lakes, and wetlands in rural areas. In Cairns, all flights from the airport were canceled or postponed, and social media images showed planes partially submerged on the runway.
Richard Parker, the airport's CEO, told Sky News that water pumps have been draining the water since Sunday, but they "are still unable to cope with the volume of water that has entered the airport." Meteorologists expect more rain as Cyclone "Jasper" is likely to continue through Monday, with significant flood warnings issued. Power has been cut to more than 14,000 properties across the region. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that defense forces are on standby to commence rescue and relief efforts.
