Australia news live: more than 30 bushfires burning across Victoria as premier warns of ‘another difficult day’ | Australia weather
Jacinta Allan says firefighters face ‘another tough day’
The Victorian Prime Minister, Jacinthe Allansaid the state faced “another difficult day,” with thousands of firefighters and rescue workers battling blazes across the state.
She said there were 32 active fires as of Sunday morning, with 14 emergency warnings in place.
Follow the advice to leave when asked.
Stay safe and support our firefighters.
Providing food and fodder for livestock that survived the fire was a “priority issue”, she said, with active fires continuing to restrict safe road access.
Key events
Tropical Cyclone Koji crosses the coast between Ayr and Bowen
The Bureau of Meteorology Dean Narramore said Tropical Cyclone Koji was crossing the coast “at the moment” between Ayr and Bowen and was expected to move inland quickly.
Most of the heaviest rainfall occurred south of Ayr and inland. Falls exceeding 300mm have been recorded around the Clarke Range since 9am on Saturday, with widespread falls of 100-200mm.
This leads to strong, even locally destructive winds, as well as widespread heavy rain, which will lead to widespread flooding in the coming days.
Extensive flooding is already occurring in parts of Queensland, so this rainfall is not good news for flood-affected areas.
Wind gusts of approximately 110 km/h were recorded on Hamilton Island.
North Queensland ‘well prepared’ for cyclone, says Prime Minister
The Premier of Queensland, David Crisafullisaid north Queensland was “well prepared” for Tropical Cyclone Koji, which is expected to make landfall near Ayr this morning.
He asked people to know the risks and look out for their neighbors, especially as heavier rain on soggy ground brings the risk of flash and river flooding.
Residents of Harcourt are asked not to drink tap water
The water company has asked residents in Harcourt, Victoria, not to drink tap water due to the risk of contamination. Colibane Waterwho was unable to access a burst water pipe due to the fires.
We ask all residents not to drink tap water until further notice.
The “don’t drink” advice included drinking alcohol, preparing food, making formula, brushing your teeth, or making ice.
Dan Jervis-Bardy
Chris Bowen to pressure petrostates to phase out fossil fuels
Chris Bowen wants to use his tenure as the world’s chief climate negotiator to pressure Saudi Arabia and other countries to stop opposing progress at UN summits, heeding calls for a “hardline” approach to big emitters hindering the transition.
Named Cop31 “negotiations chair” as part of the deal that granted Turkey the right to host the conference, Australia’s climate change and energy minister told Guardian Australia that the focus ahead of the summit would be on discussions with countries “that we don’t traditionally see eye to eye with”.
Bowen mentioned Saudi Arabia, an oil-rich Gulf state that has been accused of repeatedly obstructing efforts at U.N. summits to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels.
“We won’t get anywhere if we just have a gathering of volunteers,” Bowen said.
Learn more:
Weather forecast for Sunday
Here is the forecast for the capital on Sunday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology:
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Sydney: Showers increasing, maximum 26C.
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Melbourne: morning shower possible, maximum 20C.
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Brisbane: partly cloudy, maximum 31°C.
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Perth: sunny, maximum 35°C.
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Adelaide: clearing of clouds, maximum 26°C.
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Canberra: partly cloudy, maximum 27°C.
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Hobart: cloudy, maximum 21°C.
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Darwin: showers, thunderstorms, maximum 32C.
Widespread forecast of ‘poor’ air quality across Victoria
Statewide air quality advice has been issued for Victoria, urging people to stay indoors due to smoke and ash from several bush and grass fires.
People could expect to see or smell smoke on Sunday, which could be moving away from the fires.
VicEmergency advice said:
Your nose is an excellent smoke detector. If you smell smoke, take necessary precautions to protect your health.
People who are more sensitive to smoke are those who suffer from heart or lung problems, including asthma; people over 65 years old; infants and children; and pregnant women.
If you are sensitive to smoke, limit any prolonged or strenuous physical activity. If possible, try to stay indoors.
Victoria Environmental Protection Authority predicted widespread “poor” air quality, with “very poor” quality observed between 7am and 8am at Bendigo, Bright and Mount Clear stations.
Cyclone Koji hits North Queensland coast
Tropical Cyclone Koji will cross the north Queensland coast this morning, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds.
Koji is expected to make landfall as a Category 1 cyclone, crossing Ayr and Bowen about 200km south of Townsville.
The cyclone experienced winds of 75 km/h near the center, with gusts of up to 100 km/h. A wind gust of 106 km/ha was recorded on Hamilton Island this morning.
Heavy to locally intense rain associated with the cyclone could lead to flash flooding, according to the Bureau of Meteorologywhich has issued major flood warnings for the Flinders, Cloncurry, Georgina, Herbert, Haughton and Pioneer rivers. Six-hour rainfall totals of up to 150mm were likely.
The BoM has issued a severe weather warning for the north Queensland coast – stretching from Townsville to St Lawrence and extending inland – due to locally intense heavy rain and damaging winds, with the potential for gusts of up to 100km/h.
Jacinta Allan says firefighters face ‘another tough day’
The Victorian Prime Minister, Jacinthe Allansaid the state faced “another difficult day,” with thousands of firefighters and rescue workers battling blazes across the state.
She said there were 32 active fires as of Sunday morning, with 14 emergency warnings in place.
Follow the advice to leave when asked.
Stay safe and support our firefighters.
Providing food and fodder for livestock that survived the fire was a “priority issue”, she said, with active fires continuing to restrict safe road access.
Emergency bushfires burn across Victoria
Bushfires continue to burn across Victoria, as firefighters battle blazes that could rage for “weeks”.
Bushfires east of the Carlisle River, west of Walwa and Longwood continue to spiral out of control.
At least 14 emergency warnings have been issued for bushfires across the state, urging residents to “leave immediately” or “take shelter now”, according to VicEmergency.
About 60 bushfire warnings are in effect across the state.
Around 130 structures were destroyed by the fires and more than 300,000 hectares of bushland burned.
A total statewide fire ban remains in effect.
Good morning
Welcome to the Guardian Sunday live blog.
We’ll continue to bring you the latest news on severe weather across the country, with Victorians receiving new orders to leave immediately as bushfires burn across the state, Tropical Cyclone Koji bears down on north Queensland and severe heatwaves persist in parts of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Canberra and New South Wales.
I am Petra Stock and I will take the blog throughout the day.
