Emergency authorities in Australia are warning of "life threatening" flash floods as torrential rains batter parts of the country's east coast.
Dozens of people have been rescued from floodwaters, and residents in many low-lying communities of New South Wales have been ordered to leave their homes.
Police say hundreds of people have flocked to evacuation centres in areas north of the city of Sydney.
Warragamba dam has started to spill. With heavy rainfall persisting, we are also expecting to see spills at Nepean, Cataract, Cordeaux and Avon dams.
— WaterNSW (@WaterNSW) March 20, 2021
For weather forecasts and flood warnings, visit https://t.co/2GW553xMtn
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Major roads have been shut. Footage has emerged of a house being swept away.
Warragamba dam in Sydney, the city's main water source, has begun to overflow for the first time since 2016, and WaterNSW warns others are also expected to spill over.
[Source: BBC]