Before I turn the lights out for another day, I’d like to just write something on the devastating bushfires and floods which have wreaked havoc on many communities in rural Australia.
My heart goes out to the 150+ victims and the families and friends of these victims of the worst bushfires this country has seen, and the death toll still climbs by the hour. Rural communities in the state of Victoria have taken the brunt of these ruthless firestorms, which from all account may have been delibreately lit by firebugs and arsonists. The whole of our country in saddened by the horrific pictures and tales of death and destruction caused by these fires. High temperatures (around 48 degrees celcius) and high winds (up to 50km/h), together with ongoing drought conditions and low levels of humidity caused the area in rural Victoria to become a ‘tinderbox’ and these arsonists who are rumoured to have lit the sparks to start the fires deserve the harshest treatment by the law in my opinion, an opinion shared by almost all Australians.
This is not an easy time for this nation, it is being ravaged by natural disasters both in the north and south of our wonderful country. The bushfires have been described by our Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as “hell on Earth” and “holocaust like”. Entire country towns have been totally wiped off the map. The fires are so strong and intense that they can be seen very clearly from satellite photos from space. They spared no-one in their path, and people who tried to flee in their cars were also no match for these infernos, melting their cars and everyone inside them.
I should also single out the outmost praise for our volunteer servicemen and women, the volunteer firefighters and those who have donated clothing, money, food and other bare essentials to the devastated people of rural Victoria. In my opinion, they all deserve bravery medals for their efforts, and I’m sure the government and people of this great nation will reward them accordingly. What a great job these volunteers are doing in tough times in extremely tough conditions. Thanks also to the Australian army for coming to the party to help out, and the australian government has pledged 15million $US in aid for the victims of these horrific fires.
Also I should make mention of the heavy flooding rains from 2 tropical cyclones in north Queensland, which has left around 60% of that state of Australia underwater. Most utilities and vital services, infrastructure and amenties in these areas have been ruined or totally destroyed, and thousands of people have lost all their personal belongings and possesions - washed away in torrents of water flowing like rivers down their streets. Also a 5 year old boy was taken by a salt-water crocodile while playing in the water in his very own street. Crocodile alerts have been issued to the population of North Queensland, and more heavy rain may be on the way later this week - absolutely no respite.
Mother nature is unleashing her full fury on the wonderful people of my country at the moment, and times are tough, but we all pray for better, more happy and properous times ahead. We are all sure that these disasters will never be forgotten and that lesons will be learnt to better protect lives and property the next time we are faced with such fury from mother nature. I pray that no more lives are lost on acount of these tragic events gripping my nation at the moment.
