Victoria is facing a prolonged bushfire crisis with hundreds of homes confirmed lost, while Queensland grapples with dangerous flooding as ex-tropical cyclone Koji dumps torrential rain on the state's south-east.
Bushfire Toll Rises Across Victoria
Firefighters across Victoria are confronting a multi-front disaster, with authorities confirming that at least 300 homes and businesses have been destroyed by blazes expected to burn for weeks. Crews are battling a dangerous new firefront in the Otways National Park, in addition to ongoing infernos at Longwood, Ravenswood, Natimuk and Walwa.
Multiple communities remain under threat, with shelter and evacuation warnings still active for the Walwa and Otways fires. While firefighters are set to benefit from cooler conditions on Monday, officials warn that the weather is predicted to deteriorate again towards the end of the week, potentially exacerbating the situation.
Mystery Surrounds Bushfire Victim
In a tragic development from the Longwood bushfire area, police and the coroner are working to identify a person found deceased. Human remains were discovered approximately 100 metres from a car just off Yarck Rd at Gobur on Sunday afternoon, after officers finally gained access to the area which had been cut off by the fires.
Ex-Cyclone Koji Unleashes Flood Threat
Meanwhile, residents in Queensland's south-east are on high alert for life-threatening flash flooding as the remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Koji wreak havoc. The weather system is pushing intense moisture south, with some areas forecast to receive up to 300mm of rain, causing rivers to swell rapidly.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe warnings, urging people to avoid floodwaters and stay informed. The intense wet weather is expected to begin clearing from Wednesday, offering some respite.
These concurrent crises highlight a severe and challenging start to the week for emergency services across eastern Australia, dealing with both fire and flood extremes.
