Flooding in Queensland, Australia, 3 January 2010. Three people have been killed by the flood waters, while more than 20 towns remain cut off or flooded. AFP

Devastating floods in Australia have claimed another victim, officials have confirmed, with warnings the high waters may not recede for weeks. Three people have been killed by the flood waters in the last few days, with over 20 towns in the state of Queensland cut off or flooded by the extreme conditions. Military aircraft have now begun flying supplies into the city of Rockhampton as officials try and get aid to the more than 200,000 people affected by the flooding. Australia’s prime minister Julia Gillard confirmed the clear-up effort could take days, if not weeks. ‘This is a major natural disaster and recovery will take a significant amount of time,’ she said. ‘The extent of flooding being experienced by Queensland is unprecedented and requires a national and united response.’ It is estimated around 850,000 sq km have been affected by the flood waters – equivalent to the size of France and Germany combined. Rescuers have been buoyed by claims from forecasters that the wet weather which caused rivers to burst their banks has now eased.

Australian floods to last for weeks as high waters claim another victim