Authorities in Australia announced that 9 people lost their lives after severe thunderstorms struck the eastern part of the country, causing power outages during the Christmas holiday.

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The storms swept through the states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland on December 25 and 26, resulting in heavy rainfall. Strong winds uprooted trees in some of the most affected areas.

Katarina Carroll, Commissioner of Police for the state of Queensland, told reporters that three men lost their lives after a yacht carrying 11 people capsized near Green Island in Moreton Bay.

Police reported finding the bodies of two women near the town of Gympie, approximately 180 kilometers north of Brisbane, the state capital, after they were swept away by rainwater. The body of a 9-year-old girl was found south of Brisbane.

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Authorities warned that the rapid rise in river and pond water levels could lead to flooding, submerging camping areas along their banks, which are usually crowded during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Police reported finding a woman’s body in a campsite in Victoria after the floodwaters receded.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology predicted more rainfall despite expectations of improving weather conditions later on Wednesday.

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While eastern Australia experiences rainfall, several regions in the west are grappling with wildfires. Media reports mentioned that a volunteer firefighter lost his life while on duty.

Australia is currently experiencing the climatic phenomenon of La Niña, which can cause extreme weather events ranging from wildfires and tropical cyclones to prolonged droughts.