Heavy rains lash Australia, flooding fire-ravaged areas

Huge dust storm hits parts of New South Wales as thunderstorms are forecast across Australia.

More thunderstorms are forecast on Monday across Australia, where the heaviest rain in months has already flooded areas that were burning just days ago.

Torrential rain, storms and hailstones hit Melbourne, while the heavy downpours also lashed parts of New South Wales and Queensland.

But huge dust storms engulfed the towns of Dubbo and Parkes in central New South Wales.

Meanwhile, tourists are mostly staying away.

Al Jazeera’s Andrew Thomas reports from Sydney.