Helicopters are delivering vital animal feed and supplies to farmers stranded by severe flooding in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, as recovery efforts continue across the mid-north coast region following days of relentless rain. The floods, which have claimed five lives and isolated tens of thousands of residents, have caused widespread damage, sweeping away livestock and destroying homes.
Authorities estimate that at least 10,000 properties have been damaged by the floods, which reached their peak when fast-rising waters burst riverbanks, submerging streets and vehicles. At one point, around 50,000 people were cut off, with approximately 32,000 still isolated as floodwaters slowly begin to recede, according to the state’s Emergency Services updates on the X platform.
To support affected farmers, the NSW government has launched emergency operations providing fodder, veterinary care, and management assistance to isolated livestock. State Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty confirmed that 43 helicopter drops and roughly 130 additional deliveries by other methods have already supplied essential feed to stranded animals.
Among the worst-hit areas is the town of Taree, located along the Manning River about 300 kilometers north of Sydney, where floodwaters have devastated communities. The latest flood-related fatality was a man in his 80s found at a flooded property near Taree, bringing the death toll to five.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the critical nature of conditions in the flood-affected regions during a Saturday statement, as cleanup and recovery operations gain momentum.
Australia has been experiencing increasingly frequent extreme weather events, which experts attribute to climate change. Following a decade marked by severe droughts and bushfires, the nation has faced repeated flooding episodes since early 2021, adding to the challenges faced by communities and authorities.
Sources By Agencies
