Body of missing woman found as floods keep battering Australian state

ANKARA (AA) – Authorities in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) found the body of a woman who was missing in the flood-hit area of Eugowra, a town in the Central West region of NSW, local media reported on Wednesday.

Dianne Smith, 60, was missing since the area was hit by the worst flood in the state history on Monday, Sky News reported, adding that another old man aged 85 is still missing.

Some areas of the NSW are facing the worst and highest flood levels in more than 70 years.

“You must evacuate now because dangerous floodwaters are continuing to rise,” the State Emergency Service warned people in a statement published on its website.

“If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services. It may be too dangerous for NSW SES (State Emergency Service) to rescue you, and buildings may not be able to withstand the impact of flood water,” it warned.

Meanwhile, the Australia Bureau of Meteorology also warned that the Lachlan River at Forbes Iron Bridge may reach around 10.80 meters (36 feet) Thursday morning, with major flooding similar to the June 1952 flood level.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid