| Category | Estimated Impact |
|---|---|
| Affected People | 50,000+ |
| Confirmed Deaths | 4 |
| Homes Flooded or Destroyed | 12,000+ |
| Roads Washed Out | 300+ km |
| Cropland Damaged | Over 30,000 hectares |
| Power Outages | 20,000+ households |
| Relief Shelters Opened | 120+ |
| Emergency Services Deployed | 1,500+ personnel |
| Helicopter Rescue Missions | 67 sorties as of Friday evening |
In Lismore, one of the worst-affected towns, residents describe a nightmarish scene of fast-moving floodwaters engulfing homes in minutes.“It happened so quickly. One moment the river was rising, and the next, it was at our windows,” said Patricia Bell, a 68-year-old resident. “We barely made it out with the clothes on our backs.” At makeshift evacuation centers, volunteers are working tirelessly to support displaced families, but supplies are stretched thin. “We need more blankets, food, baby formula — and fast,” said John Tate, a Red Cross coordinator in Grafton.
Meteorologists blame the catastrophe on a slow-moving low-pressure system that dumped relentless rainfall over already saturated catchments. Rivers such as the Clarence, Wilson, and Richmond breached their banks after 48 hours of record rainfall. Experts also cite climate volatility as a key factor, noting that Australia’s eastern seaboard is experiencing more frequent and intense rain events. “These types of floods are no longer ‘once in a century.’ We’re seeing them every few years now,” said Dr. Marnie Callaghan, a climate scientist at the University of Sydney.
$250 million relief package for immediate disaster response
Mobile medical units deployed to remote and stranded communities
Australian Defence Force personnel assisting in evacuations
Water treatment facilities on standby to restore clean supply
Infrastructure audit to begin next week on all damaged roads and bridges
Beyond the statistics lies a deeper story of human suffering and resilience. Children rescued from rooftops, elderly individuals airlifted to safety, and volunteers forming human chains to pull neighbors from danger have become stark images of this disaster. At an evacuation shelter in Ballina, nine-year-old Sienna Murray drew pictures of her flooded home to cope with the trauma. “She doesn’t fully understand what’s happened, but she knows we’re safe,” said her mother, Rachel.
The floods have drawn international sympathy, with New Zealand, the UK, and the United States offering logistical support and disaster aid coordination if required. Social media platforms are filled with #PrayForNSW and #AustraliaFloods trending globally. Meteorologists warn that more rain is likely next week, compounding the region’s misery. Authorities urge all residents in low-lying areas to remain alert and ready for potential further evacuations. Meanwhile, reconstruction and recovery will take months—if not years. Livelihoods have been destroyed, and rebuilding both homes and hope will require national solidarity “We’ve been knocked down, but we will rise again,” said Mayor Colin Reeves of Lismore. “The spirit of our people is stronger than any flood.”
Eastern Australia is reeling from a natural calamity of immense scale, as record floods devastate communities, separate thousands from help, and trigger a nationwide emergency response. The immediate focus remains on rescue and relief, but questions loom about long-term preparedness and the growing threat of climate-driven disasters. For now, the country watches, waits, and prays — and rallies together to support those left stranded in the wake of the waters.
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Iran and Israel traded further air attacks on Thursday as President Donald Trump kept the world guessing about whether the United States would join Israel's bombardment of Iranian nuclear facilities. Google News LinkFor all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. A week of Israeli air and missile strikes against its major rival has wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command, damaged its nuclear capabilities and killed hundreds of people, while Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed two dozen civilians in Israel. Iran and Israel traded further air attacks on Thursday as President Donald Trump kept the world guessing about whether the United States would join Israel's bombardment of Iranian nuclear facilities. Guardian council warns US of 'harsh response A key Iranian body warned the United States on Thursday that any intervention in support of its ally Israel would be met with a "harsh response". "The criminal American government and its stupid president must know for sure that if they make a mistake and take action against Islamic Iran, they will face a harsh response from the Islamic Republic of Iran," the Guardian Council said in a statement carried by state television. Google News LinkFor all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. A week of Israeli air and missile strikes against its major rival has wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command, damaged its nuclear capabilities and killed hundreds of people, while Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed two dozen civilians in Israel. Guardian council warns US of 'harsh response' if it intervenes. A key Iranian body warned the United States on Thursday that any intervention in support of its ally Israel would be met with a "harsh response". "The criminal American government and its stupid president must know for sure that if they make a mistake and take action against Islamic Iran, they will face a harsh response from the Islamic Republic of Iran," the Guardian Council said in a statement carried by state television.
🇮🇳🇵🇰 The Water Dispute: What’s at Stake? India has formally declared that it will never restore the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, effectively denying Pakistan access to water from the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. This water supplied approximately 80% of Pakistan’s agricultural irrigation, making the dispute existential for millions of Pakistanis. The Express Tribune +14, Reuters +14, Al Jazeera +14. India’s Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the water previously destined for Pakistan will instead be diverted to support Indian states like Rajasthan, framing past Pakistani usage as “unjustified”. Reuters+1 Al Jazeera+1. Can Pakistan Be Stopped From Receiving This Water? Under the treaty, Pakistan maintains usage rights to these rivers. However, India’s declaration to suspend, or hold the treaty in "abeyance"—a move not permitted under the treaty’s binding terms—has already led to reduced flows from the Chenab River, causing a reported 21% water deficit during the critical early Kharif season. A 7% shortfall is projected for late Kharif mint + 1. Indian Defence News + 1. Pakistan's Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has confirmed a significant drop in flows at major headworks, signalling immediate agricultural disruption across Punjab, Sindh, and other provinces mint+1 HindustanTimes+1. Experts argue that quitting or halting the treaty constitutes a serious breach of international water-sharing norms, and Pakistan has formally expressed concerns to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), accusing India of “weaponising water” and violating treaty obligations. The Times of India +6, Pakistan Today +6, Al Jazeera +6. Pakistan’s Political and Legal Response Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced India's actions as “water aggression, ”vowing a united national response to defend treaty rights. A high-level committee has been created to coordinate responses and accelerate new dam and storage infrastructure projects like the Diamer‑Bhasha and Mohmand dams. The Express Tribune. Senator Syed Ali Zafar warned Parliament that millions rely on the Indus Basin and that failing to act could lead to famine. He referred to India’s suspension as a “water bomb” that threatens Pakistan’s food security and sovereignty. The Guardian +5 Al Jazeera +5 The Times of India +5. Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari cautioned Pakistan against rising tensions, stating the water dispute could escalate into war and emphasising the illegality of India’s unilateral treaty suspension. Wikipedia+7 Anadolu Ajansı+7 The Express Tribune +7. Immediate Consequences and Wider Implications Area Impact Agriculture & Food Security Punjab, the country’s granary, is worst hit with a 21% shortfall in supplies during planting season; Sindh also faces deficits and potential desertification concerns. Hydrological Data & Planning Reduced transparency on upstream flows complicates Pakistan’s reservoir and flood management strategies. The Economic Times +15 Al Jazeera +15 The Times of India +15. Legal Outlook Pakistan has appealed to international tribunals and reaffirmed that unilateral treaty withdrawal is unlawful under customary international law. Pakistan Today, Al Jazeera. Domestic Infrastructure Push Pakistan aims to fast-track dam projects to build resilience, including the Diamer‑Bhasha and Mohmand dams, with portions of national development funding dedicated to water security. The Express Tribune. Outlook: How Pakistan Can Respond International Legal Action Pakistan is pursuing arbitration through international courts and reaffirming the binding nature of the IWT and the role of the Permanent Indus Commission. Anadolu Ajansı+15, Pakistan Today+15, Reuters+15. National Infrastructure Mobilization Emergency water management, new reservoirs, and revised irrigation distribution are being prioritised to cope with reduced inflows. Diplomatic Pressure Islamabad continues to mobilise international support and warn against viewing water denial as a military or existential threat. Hindustan Times, 9reddit.com, Wikipedia, 9New York Post, 15Anadolu Ajansı, and 15mint. Domestic Resilience Measures Diversification of water sources, promoting conservation, and exploring inter-provincial conflict resolution are part of broader resilience planning. In Summary: India has unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, denying water access to Pakistan from western rivers. Pakistan is facing already measurable agricultural shortages and hydrological stress. While India claims legal rights over diverted water, Pakistan contests this through international legal channels and national infrastructure efforts. The situation remains highly tense, with both ecological and political consequences looming.
On a mission to record all of Ireland's bird species, many of which are dying out, Irishman Sean Ronayne calls his unique audio archive a tool to both raise alarm and bring hope. India has formally declared that it will never restore the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, effectively denying Pakistan access to water from the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. This water supplied approximately 80% of Pakistan’s agricultural irrigation, making the dispute existential for millions of Pakistanis. The Express Tribune +14, Reuters +14, Al Jazeera +14. India’s Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the water previously destined for Pakistan will instead be diverted to support Indian states like Rajasthan, framing past Pakistani usage as “unjustified”. Under the treaty, Pakistan maintains usage rights to these rivers. However, India’s declaration to suspend, or hold the treaty in "abeyance"—a move not permitted under the treaty’s binding terms—has already led to reduced flows from the Chenab River, causing a reported 21% water deficit during the critical early Kharif season. A 7% shortfall is projected for late Kharif mint + 1. Indian Defence News + 1.
