Sydney Water Main Burst Disrupts Thousands of Homes After Heavy Rain
Thousands of residents across Sydney's northern suburbs are facing water shortages due to a burst water main triggered by intense rainfall. The incident has impacted up to 11,500 properties in areas including Artarmon, Crows Nest, Greenwich, Lane Cove, Naremburn, North Sydney, St Leonards, Waverton, Willoughby, and Wollstonecraft, leading to temporary low water pressure or intermittent supply as repair efforts continue.
Emergency Repairs and Traffic Disruptions Underway
Sydney Water has issued an apology for the inconvenience, stating that crews are working to isolate the main and restore normal operations. Willoughby Road has been partially closed at Willoughby, with traffic diversions in place to facilitate repairs. One resident reported being without water since at least 5 am on Saturday, highlighting the widespread effect of the outage.
Recent Sinkhole Incident Adds to City's Water Woes
This water main burst follows closely on the heels of a sinkhole that opened outside St Mary's Cathedral in the Sydney CBD, believed to have been caused by a burst water pipe. The sinkhole temporarily trapped a grocery delivery truck before it was towed out, and nearby St Mary's Cathedral College sent high school students home due to water supply cuts.
Flash Flooding and Emergency Responses Across Sydney
The burst main and sinkhole are part of broader weather-related challenges, with Sydney experiencing heavy rain including a 100mm deluge in three hours overnight into Friday. This sparked flash flooding, leading to 42 rescues and over 560 incidents responded to by more than 300 emergency service workers and volunteers. Most requests involved flood rescues, inundated properties, leaking roofs, and fallen trees, with a dozen properties evacuated in Fairfield due to floodwater.
Emergency officials have warned residents to stay vigilant during sudden weather events. "Flash flooding is a real risk and can occur quickly, without much warning," said SES Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey, urging people to avoid floodwaters and never drive through flooded roads. Thousands of commuters were stranded on major roads like Anzac Bridge, with parts of Parramatta Road closed.
Weather Outlook and Broader Impacts
Despite the disruptions, tens of thousands of revellers preparing for the annual Mardi Gras parade can expect favorable conditions, with only a shower or two possible and temperatures in the low 20s. Meanwhile, other parts of Australia, such as Birdsville in southwest Queensland, have also faced deluges, receiving nearly 60 per cent of its annual rainfall in one day.
