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Central Australia is bracing for potential isolation due to an expected heavy rainfall event slated to begin this weekend, which could disrupt roads and railway operations.
Meteorologists predict some remote areas could receive upwards of 300mm of rain starting tomorrow, posing a significant threat to transportation links in certain communities.
Weather projections indicate the most intense rainfall might hit around the Northern Territory’s Tennant Creek and the Simpson Desert. However, some forecasts suggest the deluge could shift further north towards the Carpentaria region.
“Heavy rain is anticipated to persist over parts of the Northern Territory’s interior into early next week, with the possibility of extending southward toward Alice Springs and Uluru,” experts noted.
By Sunday, tropical moisture is expected to move south, potentially unleashing a downpour over South Australia’s northern pastoral areas, where the vast flat landscape is particularly susceptible to flooding.
Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, which covers about 9500 square kilometres when full, could receive falls of 100mm to 300mm by next Tuesday or Wednesday.
The lake, which usually fills with water from its north-eastern tributaries, may even record rare inflows from its southern ones.
The weather system has also caused flooding in parts of Queensland and Western Australia.
Forecasters caution computer models have been jumping around regarding the precise rainfall intensity, locations and times.
But residents in Central Australia are being urged to monitor forecasters and look out for flood warnings.
They should also check road conditions before travelling.
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