Thousands of Australians fleeing flood

 

Thousands of Australians flee to the east of the continent from the worst floods in 50 years. Many residents of flooded towns were taken by air to safety. Relaxation is characterized not so far off: The authorities fear that the disaster will last for weeks.

The rainfall in the northeastern state of Queensland exceeds the usual rainfall for the four-fold. Queensland's Anna Bligh Governor spoke of a huge damage to homeowners, farmers and businessmen. Crops were destroyed, closed ports and coal mines flooded.

Overall, some 200,000 people affected by the floods. Thousands of people were brought to safety, many by helicopter. Some residents of the evacuated town of Condamine but also refused to leave their homes - they were afraid of looters wanted to or not leave their pets.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard visited the worst affected village Bundaberg. There, at least 120 houses were flooded. The authorities have warned that food may be scarce. Also, could spread diseases, because the flooding water tank flooded.

"The rising waters have washed down the rivers so much debris that the water supply of cities has been blocked," said the director of utilities in the province, Smith Sound. The river water is often contaminated by inflows, at normal levels not reached in the water

Australian coal producers have warned their clients in Japan, South Korea and China already promised that their supplies will not arrive on time. Exports from Queensland to cover about half of global coke consumption. Experts expect therefore that the shortage is driven by the storms of the world market price of coke by 20 percent within three months upwards.

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