One person has died and thousands of others are under evacuation orders in Australia’s northeast after intense rain triggered dangerous flash floods that have inundated homes and businesses.

More extreme rainfall and higher frequencies of flooded rivers and flash floods around the world have a clear link to climate change and ongoing global heating.

A woman has died in Australia and thousands have been forced to flee their homes after torrential rainfall has caused flooding in northern Queensland. Authorities are warning that flood waters could rise up to second-storey level in a situation they described as dangerous and life-threatening.

The atmospheric factors behind north Queensland's deadly floods are very similar to recent floods in the region — and climate change is likely playing a role.

One person has died, and thousands have been forced to evacuate due to flash floods in northeast Australia. Flash floods have hit northeast Australia since Friday, with thousands under evacuation orders. Large parts of North Queensland have been flooded, with the city of Townsville and the town of Ingham severely impacted.

Authorities are warning deadly flooding in northern Queensland is expected to worsen. More than a metre of rain has fallen between Townsville and Innisfail in the past five days due to a slow-moving monsoon trough.

Residents in greater Townsville have been warned to leave by midday on Sunday as north Queensland continues to be smashed with rain.