Finally rain in Australia but wildfire threat not over yet

Collected

Australia saw its first glimpse of reprieve after months of deadly fires when rain has fallen in five ravaged parts of Australia and temperatures have dropped, but the officials still fear the blazes will “take-off” again.

Torrential rains were reported in some parts of New South Wales where light rain fell down the east coast - from Sydney to Melbourne. 

The rain — though welcomed by those still battling out of control fires that have so far scorched an area roughly the size of Croatia — brought challenges for fire crews attempting to complete strategic burns in preparation for higher temperatures that will return in the coming days. 

But on Sunday night, the officials warned temperatures would rise by Thursday. They also said huge fires in Victoria and New South Wales could meet to create a larger “mega blaze”.

“There is no room for complacency,” New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned on Monday morning. Read more