Heavy rain continued to affect Kenya last week and resulted in flooding which has displaced thousands of people. The downpours, which began in late November, also washed away bridges and roads, complicating efforts to reach the affected people.
Water levels in the Danube river have dropped to their lowest for seven years, causing problems for the large volume of shipping traffic which usually courses up and down the river. The driest November in around 200 years over much of central Europe is to blame for the lack of water in Europe's second longest river, which runs from southern Germany to the Black Sea. Cargo shipping is at only 25% of its usual volume, and is at increased risk from unexploded bombs. Sunken warships from the second world war have been exposed by the receding water.
South-east Queensland was hit by stormy weather on Saturday as a line of thunderstorms moved eastwards across the region. The worst affected parts of the Australian state were north of Brisbane, where around 2,600 homes had their power supply disrupted. Over 50mm of rainfall was recorded in places within a very short period of time, with 74mm falling at Lochington. Hailstones as large as 4cm were reported at Beerburrum, and flash flooding affected the Lockyer Valley. Thunderstorms erupted in the same area again on Sunday afternoon, bringing further downpours to the region.