Crocodiles spotted as Australian city deliberately flooded - in pictures
Queensland government warns citizens to stay out of water after floodgates opened to relieve overflowing dam
Crocodiles have been spotted across the northern Australian city of Townsville over the weekend, after authorities decided to open a nearby river dam amid severe flooding in the region.
The Guardian reports that residents in the Queensland city, where “up to 500 homes are already under water”, were “urged to seek higher ground on Sunday” after heavy downpours led to the decision to completely open floodgates to the city’s swollen Ross River Dam.
A “heavy deluge of rain” pushed dam levels to almost 250% capacity on Sunday, and opening the floodgates “almost doubled” the amount of water flowing out of the catchment, the newspaper adds.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“You can expect high velocity flows and unprecedented areas of flooding to occur in the Ross River Catchment,” Australian Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson Bruce Gunn told locals. “It could change continuously and unpredictably.”
Sydney-based site News.com.au reports that residents of the city have “expressed simmering frustration” over the decision to open the dam, claiming they were “caught out by record water releases”.
Local people have also reported multiple sightings of crocodiles in Townsville, and shared photos of the killer reptiles on social media.
A three-metre (10ft) crocodile was reportedly spotted by emergency services in the city on Sunday night.
Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch has warned residents to remain vigilant, saying that both crocodiles and snakes could turn up in unexpected places during flooding, reports local paper the Townsville Bulletin.
“Crocodiles prefer calmer waters and they may move around in search of a quiet place to wait for floodwaters to recede,” Enoch said. “Crocodiles may be seen crossing roads, and when flooding recedes, crocodiles can turn up in unusual places such as farm dams or waterholes where they have not been seen before.”
Snakes are also “very good swimmers”, she said, adding: “If you see a snake, don’t attempt to catch or remove it”.
Meanwhile, a tweet by Queensland Police said the city’s residents should refrain from “playing in flood waters” as they may be “wading in [their] neighbour’s faeces”.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
When will mortgage rates finally start coming down?
The Explainer Much to potential homebuyers' chagrin, mortgage rates are still elevated
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Women are getting their own baseball league again
In the Spotlight The league is on track to debut in 2026
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Giant TVs are becoming the next big retail commodity
Under the Radar Some manufacturers are introducing TVs over 8 feet long
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published