Flood waters are rising in the Australian state of Queensland after heavy rainfall. The area between Townsville and Cairns in the north-east is particularly badly affected - a region that is also very popular with tourists.

The Bureau of Meteorology says the weather system causing flooding in North Queensland will gradually start to ease from Tuesday, but authorities warn intense rainfall and dangerous flooding will continue.

Storms have already dumped more than a metre of rain in two days in parts of Queensland, engulfing homes, businesses and roads in muddy waters, authorities said. Aerial footage showed rural communities surrounded by the floodwaters,