2:05pm UK, Monday December 27, 2010
Heavy rain across much of eastern Australia has left towns cut off by floods as the storms spread southwards and threatened agriculture and mining industries.
The deluge over the Christmas weekend has gradually moved south from northeastern Queensland to hit agricultural areas of New South Wales, with further rainfall forecast for coming days.
Nearly 10 inches of rain was recorded in the 24 hours to 11pm on Sunday in parts of Queensland, as the remains of tropical cyclone Tasha hit the coast on December 25 moved across inland areas.
Parts of the town of Chinchilla are reportedly up to 20-feet under water after local river banks burst.
Many parts of Australia have recently clawed their way out of devastating droughts.
Sugar planters, wheat growers and coal miners in the affected states are among those likely to be hardest hit.
Several towns had been cut off in both states by rising floodwaters, while emergency services have evacuated families in the worst-hit areas.
Cars were washed away and people were rescued by crews as swirling waters continued to rise.
Flood warnings were in place on Monday for more than a dozen rivers in each state, while forecasters warned of the potential for flash flooding.
Much of the rain has fallen on key sugar growing areas of Queensland.
Australia, a top sugar exporter along with Brazil and Thailand, this month slashed its current year sugar export forecast by 25% as flooding reduced sugar content of cane.
The wheat harvest has also largely ground to a halt in affected areas.
Coal mines have been flooded and some producers have declared "force majeure" - indicating to their buyers that they may not be able to meet targets as originally agreed for reasons beyond their control.
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