A powerful monsoon surge has wreaked havoc in North West Queensland, with the remote town of Cloncurry bearing the brunt of the severe weather. The community is now facing a massive cleanup after intense rainfall destroyed a critical piece of local infrastructure.
Airport Runway Washed Away in Torrential Rain
The Cloncurry Airport runway has been severely damaged, effectively cutting off a vital transport link for the region. The destruction occurred after the monsoon trough delivered an intense burst of rainfall over the area. More than 200 millimetres of rain was recorded in just 24 hours, overwhelming the drainage systems and causing significant erosion.
Local authorities and airport staff were left shocked by the extent of the damage. The torrential downpour carved deep channels across the runway surface, rendering it unsafe for any aircraft operations. This has immediate implications for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), emergency medical retrievals, and general aviation essential to the remote community.
Community Rallies as Cleanup Operation Commences
With the weather system finally moving east, residents and council crews have started the daunting task of cleaning up. The focus is not only on the airport but also on widespread localised flooding that affected roads and properties. The sheer volume of water transformed dry creek beds into raging torrents and left low-lying areas submerged.
The Cloncurry Shire Council is leading the damage assessment and recovery efforts. Initial inspections confirm the runway is out of action, and engineers are being brought in to determine the full scope of repairs required. The timeline for restoring airport operations remains unclear, posing a significant logistical challenge for the town and surrounding stations.
Broader Impact Across North West Queensland
While Cloncurry suffered the most dramatic infrastructure failure, the monsoon surge impacted a wider area. Other parts of North West Queensland also experienced heavy rainfall and flash flooding. The event serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of the wet season in the region.
The community's resilience is now being tested. The loss of the airport, even temporarily, disrupts essential services and supply chains. The cleanup will be a major undertaking, requiring significant resources and time. All eyes are now on state and federal authorities for potential disaster assistance to help Cloncurry rebuild this critical infrastructure.
