(CNN) The Australian government has declared a natural disaster in large swaths of New South Wales (NSW) as heavy rains batter the state and force thousands to evacuate. Rains have been inundating communities since Thursday, but parts of the east coast tipped into crisis on Saturday as a major dam overflowed, adding to swollen rivers and causing flash flooding. The NSW and federal government have signed 16 natural disaster declarations in areas spanning the central and mid-north coast, from Hunter Valley near Sydney to Coff's Harbour, said NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliott in a news conference on Sunday. Emergency rescue vehicles drive through flooded parts of western Sydney, Australia, on March 20. There have been no deaths reported yet -- but, Elliott warned, "we are moving closer and closer to the inevitable fatality."

Source: CNN March 21, 2021 04:07 UTC