Australia’s record run of heavy rainfall continues to batter the east coast, extending a 27-year pattern of frequent deluges that has saturated soil and kept rivers high through the southern winter. Public-health officials in the far north have linked the persistent flooding to an unprecedented surge of melioidosis, a soil- and water-borne bacterial disease. Authorities have logged 243 infections and 36 deaths up to 17 August, making this the most severe outbreak recorded in the region. Six months after torrents swamped large parts of south-west Queensland, farmers say damaged fences, eroded topsoil and water-logged paddocks are still disrupting daily operations. Local councils estimate full recovery will take years without additional federal aid. Frustrations over disaster readiness dominated discussions at this week’s Bush Summit, where growers and residents warned that delays in upgrading Doppler radar coverage are leaving remote communities with inadequate storm warnings as another wet season approaches.