Thousands could be forced to flee their homes as heavy rain hits Australia’s east coast – with emergency crews warning Sydney’s five million residents to be alert to the conditions and to brace for travel disruption.

A man was found dead in his car after being swept away in a deluge, police said on Thursday – with the region being battered by its third intense weather system in just six weeks.

Residents of a nursing home were among those evacuated as emergency crews warned the city’s five million residents to avoid unnecessary travel and brace for possible evacuations.

A severe weather warning was issued along the south coast of New South Wales stretching more than 600km (373 miles) as almost a month’s rainfall was dumped on Sydney overnight on Thursday – causing rivers to burst their banks, leaving entire towns submerged and without power.

Authorities had said they expected conditions to begin easing from Thursday evening.

However, Warragamba Dam, Sydney’s major water supply, could still spill over on Friday.

Acting commissioner for New South Wales emergency services, Daniel Austin, told a media briefing: “This is a highly dynamic situation. These events are moving exceptionally quickly.”

Australia landslide: British teenager caught in accident discharged from hospital

Mehraab Nazir named as British man who died in Australian landslide alongside nine-year-old son

Movie World: Boy taken to hospital with head injury after incident on theme park ride

“Exceptionally sharp, short bursts of rain” created flash flooding almost every hour, he added.

Many residents in Sydney’s western suburbs were ordered to evacuate again after being told to flee weeks earlier following the city’s wettest March on record.

More than 4,000 residents are facing flood evacuations.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

One suburban resident told ABC television how the weather “came up again out of nowhere”, describing the situation as “heartbreaking”.

Emergency crews and residents now face a huge task to clear tonnes of debris in the wake of the devastating weather.

Sydney has received 1,227 mm (48 inches) of rain so far this year, more than its average annual rainfall of 1,213 mm.

Meanwhile beach hotspot Bondi recoded around 170 mm over the 24-hour period to 9am Thursday local time, according to official data.

Australia’s east coast has been impacted as a consequence of the La Nina weather phenomenon, typically associated with increased rainfall, for the second year running – with most rivers reaching capacity even before the latest drenching.

Related posts:

Three arrested over Italy cable car crash as probe finds temporary repair stopped brake working Biden calls for intelligence agencies to probe origins of COVID – saying China has not been transparent enough Yellow Wiggle to quit children’s music group after 11 years More than 400 migrants board deportation flight to Iraq as Belarus border tensions rise ‘Wonder material’: Rock silt released by melting glaciers could help in climate change fight, experts say Russian aircraft ‘buzzed’ Royal Navy aircraft carrier, says defence minister, as sea search continues for ditched stealth fighter ‘It’s a crime’: Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon reaches highest level since 2006 What are the mysterious markings appearing on Russian tanks? Ukraine enters state of emergency – as Pentagon says 80% of Russian forces in attack position Ukrainian city of Mariupol on verge of humanitarian catastrophe, says mayor – as 160,000 civilians trapped Nineteen people shot dead at clandestine cockfight as Mexican drug gang violence worsens Abramovich and Ukrainian peace negotiators ‘suffered symptoms of suspected chemical weapons poisoning’