Heavy rain lashes Sydney and surrounds

Authorities in Australia's New South Wales issued major flood warnings as heavy rain lashed parts of the country's most populous state. Some residents in low-lying areas of Sydney and its surrounds were told to evacuate. Acting Commissioner of the New South Wales State Emergency Service, Daniel Austin, told reporters on Thursday that sharp and short bursts of rain had caused flash flooding in the Illawarra region, south of Sydney. He warned residents in those areas to limit their travel as six rescues were undertaken so far. Extraordinarily heavy rains in New South Wales have caused repeat floods in the last two months. The state capitol Sydney has endured the wettest start to a year ever recorded.