
Australia
Thousands of people remain stranded by some of the worst flooding eastern Australia has seen in 20 years.
Parts of the country's most populous state, New South Wales, have been cut off by heavy rain and have been declared natural disaster zones.
There are similar problems further north in Queensland, which has also been battered by wild conditions.
The floods are easing now but officials have warned that many communities could be isolated for several days.
Thunderstorms since late last week have dumped huge amounts of rain on Australia's east coast. Many rivers have been unable to cope and their banks have burst.