Three die in floodwaters in Australia’s Queensland State

At least three people have died following heavy flooding in the state of Queensland in northern Australia, where hundreds of homes are inundated by floodwaters.

The bodies of two men washed away by heavy rains in separate incidents were found on Monday in Queensland State’s capital, Brisbane, and another was found further north at Gympie.

Earlier, the rescue forces recovered the body of an elderly man near the city of Bundaberg, which is due to experience the worst floods on record, according to Mayor Mal Foreman.

At least 18 people were airlifted to safety by late morning, but at least 12 others were still awaiting help as rising waters left people stranded.

Some 100 troops were deployed to assist with rescues and two military aircraft were en route, Forman said.

“Even though we have helicopters, the weather conditions are appalling and dangerous for flying. The floodwaters are very swift and it’s also dangerous to go out in flood boats,” Queensland Premier Campbell Newman said.

The rain, which is brought by Tropical Cyclone Owald, is also reportedly affecting the northern part of New South Wales.

Cyclones and floods are common in Australia’s northeast during the warmer summer months. Earlier in 2011, a series of huge storms devastated large agricultural areas and key coal mines across Queensland.