Heavy rain and 'life-threatening' flooding prompt Sydney suburbs evacuation

Authorities said the Warragamba Dam in western Sydney began overflowing overnight and the peak spill would be comparable to devastating flooding in March last year

People stand on a rock ledge as huge swells hit the headland at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia (Mark Baker/AP)

Thousands of residents in the Sydney suburbs were told to evacuate their homes on Sunday after heavy rain caused floodwaters to rise and rivers to overflow in what authorities called life-threatening emergencies.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for heavy rain and flash floods and winds of up to 55mph (90kph) per hour along the coast of Australia’s most populous city and other parts of New South Wales state.