Moderate Flood Warning Issued for Lower Balonne and Bokhara Rivers in Queensland
Major flooding is occurring at Whyenbah while moderate flooding impacts Dirranbandi. Residents are urged to avoid floodwaters as river levels continue to rise in some areas.
Alert Details
The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Moderate Flood Warning (IDQ20833) for the Lower Balonne and Bokhara Rivers and the Balonne River Minor. This warning was issued at 2:00 pm AEST on Saturday, 21 March 2026, and is an update to previous flood alerts for the region.
Affected Areas
The warning covers several geographic regions in Queensland, specifically:
- Lower Balonne River: Major flooding is occurring at Whyenbah.
- Balonne River Minor: Moderate flooding is occurring at Dirranbandi.
- St George: Minor flooding is continuing following a peak on Friday.
- Bokhara River: Minor flooding is possible at Hebel starting early next week.
Expected Conditions
- Whyenbah: Major flooding is currently occurring as the flood peak moves downstream.
- Dirranbandi: The Balonne River Minor is currently at 4.45 meters and rising. It is expected to exceed 4.60 meters during Sunday with moderate flooding. Further rises are possible as upstream flows arrive.
- St George: The river peaked at approximately 7.87 meters on Friday evening. It is likely to remain above the minor flood level of 6.00 meters for the next several days.
- Hebel: The Bokhara River is currently at -0.04 meters and steady, but it is forecast to exceed the minor flood level of 1.00 meter early next week.
- Rainfall: No significant rainfall is forecast across the catchment for at least the next few days.
Timeline
The current alert is effective immediately. River levels at St George are expected to remain elevated for several days, while the peak at Dirranbandi is anticipated on Sunday. Minor flooding at Hebel is projected to begin early next week. The next official update from the Bureau of Meteorology is scheduled for 3:00 PM AEST on Sunday, 22 March 2026.
What You Should Do
Residents in the affected areas are advised to take the following safety precautions:
- Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater as it is dangerous and conditions can change quickly.
- Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and all waterways.
- Obey all road closure signs and plan travel to avoid flooded roads.
- Monitor the ABC and local media for further updates.
- For emergency assistance, contact the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.
Source: BOM Official Notice
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