Australia pledges AU$700 million in aid to flood victims

Highlights

• A few major parts of Australia are struggling from catastrophic flooding and are seeing widespread destruction due to week-long torrential downpours. 
• Over half a million applications for the government's disaster recovery payment have been filed.
• The federal government has allocated AU$713 million in disaster pay-outs to 865,000 people whose businesses or houses were destroyed by the floods in Australia.
• Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia, proposed new dams to be constructed to strengthen the nation's flood resilience.

Australia was reeling from catastrophic flooding and had seen widespread destruction due to week-long torrential downpours. 

In Lismore, the ADF (Australian Defence Force) cleared around 400 tonnes of rubbish. Moreover, teams were dispatched to the Richmond and Hawkesbury to aid with clean-up duties. 

Good read: Westpac (ASX:WBC) launches AU$2M fund for small flood-hit businesses

Flooding compensation package 

In the aftermath of massive floods that destroyed towns on Australia's east coast, over half a million applications for the government's disaster recovery payment have been filed.

Furthermore, the federal government has allocated AU$713 million in disaster pay-outs to 865,000 people whose businesses or houses were destroyed by the floods in Australia. The number of defence troops aiding with clean-up activities in NSW and Queensland has risen to 7200.

Also watch: 7 dead in floods in Qld and NSW || Breaking News Australia || Kalkine Media

Severe flooding wreaked Australia

Following devastating floods along Australia's east coast, the country declared a national emergency last week and declared catastrophe zones in towns drowning from swollen rivers.

Several people have been forced to flee their homes as severe rains wreaked havoc on the nation's southeast coast area, causing the worst flooding in a decade. However, a devastating flood has claimed the lives of many individuals. 

However, the torrential rains flooded town centres, swept away homes and downed power lines.

Do read: New South Wales floods: PM Morrison may declare ‘national emergency’

Bottom line 

Floods caused extensive and diverse devastation in Australia. Livestock loss, property damage, loss of life, destruction of crops are all acute consequences of floods in Australia. The Australian government has assisted flood victims by granting disaster compensation. 

In addition, Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia, has proposed new dams to be constructed to strengthen the nation's flood resilience, acknowledging the role of climate change in the devastating floods that ravaged Australia. 

Also read: PM Morrison declares floods a national emergency, vows more support