Margaret River | Australia suffered two major natural disasters on Friday, with wildfires devastating the scenic west coast landscape and heavy rains causing flooding in the east of the country.
After weeks of high temperatures, fires broke out in Western Australia in the Margaret River tourist region, famous for its wine and surfing.
Authorities did not report any injuries or damaged homes, but large flames were visible over a wide area, sending large columns of smoke into the sky.
Alerts were triggered and some residents were asked to leave their homes to take shelter.
“Act immediately in order to survive,” urged the state fire department.
While the Australian coast bordered by the Indian Ocean has seen temperatures of up to 40 degrees C, the other side of the island-mainland, the Pacific coast has been battered by rain for months.
“A center of low pressure has formed off the south coast of New South Wales, bringing heavy rainfall and significant flooding,” the Bureau of Meteorology said.
Some areas south of Sydney, which were battling the worst forest fires in the country’s history exactly two years ago, have recorded 21 centimeters of water in the past 24 hours.
November was the month with the highest rainfall in 122 years and among the coldest due to the La Nina weather phenomenon.
Scientists believe that extreme weather events have worsened due to climate change caused by human activity.
In recent years, Australia has experienced a series of severe floods, massive forest fires and periods of drought.