7 missing in Western Australia amid heavy rainfall

Seven people, including four children, have been reported missing in Western Australia, as days of rainfall brought flash flooding in the outback Australian state.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Western Australia Police Force expressed serious welfare concerns for the seven occupants of two vehicles that departed on Sunday.

One of the automobiles is believed to contain an elderly driver, while the other had an elderly driver and five other occupants on board.

Four of the passengers were children aged between seven and 17 years.

“Concerns are held for the occupants of these two vehicles due to serious weather conditions.

“It is unknown how much food and water the occupants have in their possession,’’ said the state police.

Since late last week, a low-pressure trough has brought thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in southeast Western Australia.

According to Australian weather service provider Weatherzone, the Eyre weather station has seen a total of 325 mm of rainfall in the 96 hours ending at 9:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday.

This broke the record for the heaviest rainfall in a single month, which was 203.8 mm as in March 1912mm.