CLIMATE change has likely intensified the monsoon rains that have triggered record floods in Australia’s Queensland state, scientists said yesterday, with several months of heavy rain and storms still to come.

HEAVY rains threatened further flooding in Australia’s drenched northeast yesterday as besieged Rockhampton cut supplies to “irresponsible” residents who refused to leave water-bound homes.

Climate experts have predicted that next year will be one of the five warmest years since records began.

KEEP those umbrellas nearby and don’t put your raincoats away just yet.

Weather systems such as El Nino and La Nina have triggered a plant life explosion in the sea which can be seen from space.