Sunday, 08 February 2009

• Australia Ravaged

  Rain Devastation in the North

  For the past few weeks Far North Queensland has been inundated with torrential rains that resulted in massive floods.  Part of our town (Townsville) was flooded, while the nearby Ingham (2 hrs drive away) was entirely immersed in water.  As of yesterday, evacuation had been ordered for the Ingham townsfolks.  Here's a glimpse of flood conditions through the news coverage on 5 Feb 2009:

  By the grace of God, our estate and surrounding areas were not flooded, and we only had to put up with the following minor inconveniences:

  • Not being to go out for groceries and errands as and when we liked.  As a result we had to ensure our fridge was stocked up with up to a week's supply of food.  Edna and I had to avoid going out as driving in torrential rain is dangerous because of the slippery road conditions, floods, very poor visibility (even with headlights on in the day) and numerous potholes. 
  • Apart from not being able to swim, we have to monitor and flush out water from the inground pool on a daily basis when it rained, to prevent overflowing.
  • Not being able to mow our lawns with overgrown grass.
  • Putting up with the awful din made by mating toads in our garden and surrounding areas.  They sound like they are croaking through a loudspeaker - imagine trying to sleep in this cacophony!
  • Last week, Edna and I had to make the inevitable trip out during the rain for my prenatal appointment.  Although parking in public areas in most of Townsville is free, most of the carpark lots are unsheltered, and so Edna and I were drenched in our hooded windbreakers even after just a short walk from the car to the clinic. 

  Well, we certainly aren't complaining after seeing what our neighbours in Ingham had to put up with.  In fact, we are filled with gratitude to God each day that our lives are still relatively untouched by the bad weather.  In fact, a cyclone narrowly missed Townsville last weekend and all we got was the remnant rain *phew!*

  Fire Devastation in the South

  Over at Victoria (South Australia), a different kind of catastrophe has been unfolding.  Temperatures had been hovering at low to mid 40 degrees Celsius for the past 2 weeks, making it their hottest period of the century.  With the heat, dry winds and drought conditions, bushfires have started burning across Victoria since mid last week.  At least 330,000 hectares of land and homes (including entire towns) have been burnt away and as at this afternoon the death toll stands at 130.  This event has been described as "Hiroshima's nuclear bombing" and the "worst natural disaster in Australia in 110 years".  This news footage offers us a glimpse of the conditions there (dated 8 Feb 2009):

  As of today, the bushfires are still raging ferociously.  Let's pray for all the rescue workers, firefighters and victims involved in this tragedy.  Sad, sad, sad... Wish I could provide more update, but my mommy duty calls  ...

   

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