There has never been so much rain in Sydney: After new heavy rains in the Australian metropolis, meteorologists classified 2022 as the wettest year in history on Thursday. The previous record from 1950, when 2194 millimeters of rain were recorded in the metropolis, was broken at noon (local time), the AAP news agency reported, citing the authorities. More heavy rainfall is expected through the end of the year.

Warnings of new flooding have been issued in numerous places in the state of New South Wales on the east coast, such as in the famous wine-growing region of the Hunter Valley and in the greater Sydney area. "We are expecting significant amounts of rain, sometimes reaching the usual monthly rainfall in a matter of days," said Sean Kearns of the Region's Emergency Services (SES). Holidaymakers have been warned not to visit campsites near rivers.

Australia's east coast has been hit by exceptionally heavy rainfall and flooding several times this year. In early July, areas in Sydney were flooded meters high. A powerful low-pressure area between Australia's east coast and the North Island of New Zealand was responsible.

In March, too, there were heavy floods around the metropolis and in large parts of New South Wales and Queensland. In Sydney it had rained almost continuously for two and a half weeks. At that time, meteorologists were already talking about the wettest start of the year in the country's largest city since weather records began there in 1858. Australia is particularly affected by the consequences of climate change.