Victoria set to be battered by severe storms as Australian weather chaos continues

Australia’s already fire-ravaged state, Victoria, could now face severe flooding as experts forecast its wettest two-day period in “many, many months”.

Heavy rain has dampened many of the country’s bushfires, which began in September and have killed at least 28 people as well as destroying thousands of homes and scorching acres of land.

But the rain has also caused road closures and power cuts.

More heavy rain, damaging winds and large hail could possibly hit eastern parts of Victoria. This includes East Gippsland where fires continue to burn.

Emergency services minister Lisa Neville warned: “We’re going to see some potentially flash flooding and severe thunderstorms over the next couple of days, including some damaged fire areas.

“Unfortunately coming in this massive amount in one go, quickly does cause some risk, both in how you capture most of that and also debris run-off and the potential for fallen trees.”

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A flood watch is now in place for eastern parts of the state as of Sunday. While the rain is welcome, it will be “hit and miss” and may not reach parts of the country affected by wildfire, according to senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, Dean Narramore.

Speaking to ABC, he added: “Victoria is about to see its wettest two-day period in many, many months.

“It will also impact fire zones as well.”

Australia’s forests are burning at a rate unmatched in modern times and scientists say the landscape is being permanently altered as a warming climate brings profound changes to the island continent.

Heatwaves and drought have fuelled bigger and more frequent fires in parts of Australia, so far this season torching some 40,000 square miles.

With blazes still raging in the country’s southeast, government officials are drawing up plans to reseed burnt areas to speed up forest recovery that could otherwise take decades or even centuries.

But some scientists and forestry experts doubt that reseeding and other intervention efforts can match the scope of the destruction.

Additional reporting by agencies

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