Queensland farmers count losses as floods wipe out crops and infrastructure

A massive flood has devastated banana farms in north Queensland (Australia), leaving growers unsure of the full damage, according to local media. Since last Saturday, over 600mm of rain has fallen around Tully, between Townsville and Cairns, submerging farms and infrastructure. Local banana growers describe it as the worst flooding since Cyclone Winifred in 1986, with his entire property surrounded by water.

Farmers worked quickly to harvest and transport fruit before the rain hit, but with the Bruce Highway closed, getting bananas to supermarkets will be difficult. The Australian Banana Growers Council warned that banana supply will take a major hit. Losses could even surpass those from Tropical Cyclone Jasper in 2023, which destroyed up to 35% of crops on some farms. In addition to lost produce, roads and farm infrastructure have been severely damaged. Many growers have reported that their farms are completely flooded, with roads in poor condition and submerged plants unlikely to survive.

The Bureau of Meteorology predicts the weather system will stay put for now, bringing another 50 to 100mm of rain before moving inland later in the week. While the floods have caused serious damage, some graziers in western Queensland welcome the rain after long dry spells.

For now, farmers can only wait for the waters to recede before they can fully assess the damage and start rebuilding.

source: abc.net.au

photo: theaustralian.com.au