Published 16:21 IST, February 7th 2020
Australia: Incessant rains 'breaking the back' of devastating bushfires
Incessant rains raised hopes on February 7 for an end to Australia's ravaging bushfire crisis as rains douse blazes that have burned out of control for months.
Incessant rains raised hopes on February 7 for an end to Australia's ravaging bushfire crisis as rains douse blazes that have burned out of control for months. The devastating bushfires triggered prolonged drought-like conditions and record-high temperatures, that have raged since September burning more than 10 million hectares and killing 33 people. The unprecedented rains in New South Wales began earlier in the week in some areas and there are chances it could continue till next week and may douse a number of the remaining fires and help contain others.
Rain breaking the back of bushfire
The head of rural firefighters in NSW, Shane Fitzsimmons, said that rain is breaking the back of bushfire. There were no bushfires burning in NSW by Friday afternoon. Authorities in Australia on January 31 declared a state of emergency for Canberra and its surrounding regions. According to reports, the decision was taken after high temperatures and strong winds threatened to ignite a bushfire beyond the control of the fire responders. Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Andrew Barr said that the decision to declare a state of emergency was a direct indication to the potential danger that may erupt if conditions do not stay favourable.
Australia gripped by ravaging bushfire
Australia has been gripped by ravaging bushfire since September last year and the damage has been so dreadful that it is being dubbed as the worst in recorded history. In a recent piece of news coming in from Australia, an estimated 37,000 koalas have been killed in the wildfires so far. According to Steven Selwood of South Australia Veterinary Emergency Management, there are only 9,000 koalas that remain out of the 46,000 that were thought to be on the island before this year's bushfire.
READ: Dramatic Video Shows Australian Bushfire Changing Direction And Intensity In Minutes
Updated 16:21 IST, February 7th 2020