Death toll from Australia floods rises to 8: Report

By Islamuddin Sajid

ANKARA (AA) - The death toll from heavy rains and floods in Australia have raised to eight as one more person died in the Queensland state on Monday, local media reported.

The heavy flood washed away a car at the Gold Coast city in the Queensland state, causing death of a person whose body recovered by the state police, according to 9 News.

Thousands of people have been affected by floods in New South Wales and Queensland.

"We're seeing serious flood events occurring down in the Gold Coast as part of south east Queensland and we are seeing a terrible flood of events in Lismore in Northern New South Wales," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters.

He added that the flood has severely affected the Brisbane city, including Toowoomba, Ipswich and Logan regions.

"We have activated our defense support there. Over 200 ADF (Australian Defense Force) deployed to assist with helicopter support is on its way. It should be arriving soon in Lismore to assist with what are very serious evacuations," Morrison said.

"This weather event has had imposed a heavy blow on south east Queensland and it is now moving south and will ultimately be impacting on the south coast of New South Wales later this week," he added.

The heavy rains and floods have also affected the power system in Brisbane and other areas of New South Wales and Queensland.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the city government has established evacuation centers and 300 people have been shifted there so far.

"We've continued to do rescues, both police, fire and emergency services," he said and warned that more raining is expected to happen again tonight as well," said Schrinner.