Australian Defence Force deployed to aid flood crisis response

Photo taken on Oct. 14, 2022, shows a flooded area in Victoria, Australia. (Photo by Bai Xue/Xinhua)

Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel were now on the ground assisting with evacuations and sand-bagging in response to the catastrophic flooding.

CANBERRA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been deployed to aid in the response to catastrophic flooding in the country's second most populated state.

Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese on Sunday toured flood-affected areas in Victoria.

Hundreds of homes in the region have been impacted by floods following heavy rains, with waters expected to continue rising.

Authorities have warned thousands of homes could be inundated when water levels peak. Residents who stayed beyond evacuation orders have now been told it is too late to leave their properties.

Photo taken on Oct. 14, 2022, shows a flooded area in Victoria, Australia. (Photo by Bai Xue/Xinhua)

In the 24 hours to Sunday morning, there were 103 flood rescues by authorities, and one person, a 71-year-old man, died.

"This is a very severe weather event that's having an impact in urban communities but also in regional communities right throughout Victoria, but particularly there in the north and the north-west," Albanese told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio, adding that he would work with local government to make sure that people get the support that they need at this difficult time.

Albanese said ADF personnel were now on the ground assisting with evacuations and sand-bagging.