Major Flood Warning Issued for Diamantina River at Birdsville and Surrounding Areas

Source: BOM · Southwest Queensland

This alert is no longer in effect.

BOM issued it on April 6, 2026, 4 months ago. Warnings of this kind stay in effect for hours to a few days, so this page is a historical record of what was issued, not a current warning. For conditions where you are right now, check weather.gov (US), weather.gc.ca (Canada), the Met Office (UK), or the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia).

Areazine synthesizes this BoM weather warning directly from BOM's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that major flooding is possible at Birdsville later this week as significant upstream flows move down the Diamantina River.

Read this weather record in 30 seconds

Record type
Flood Warning
Affected area
Southwest Queensland
Issued
April 6, 2026
Issuing authority
BOM

Flood notices turn on location and timing. Treat the named area as this record's scope; do not assume nearby counties, parishes, or waterways were included.

Record status: historical. It was issued 4 months ago; use the issuing agency's live warning service for current conditions in Southwest Queensland.

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Major Flood Warning (IDQ20865) for the Diamantina River. The warning was issued at 11:50 am AEST on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, following significant rainfall across the catchment last week that resulted in rapid river level rises.

Affected Areas

The alert covers the Diamantina River catchment, specifically focusing on the following locations in Queensland:

  • Birdsville Police Station: Currently experiencing moderate flooding, with major flooding possible.
  • Diamantina Lakes: Currently experiencing moderate flooding.
  • Roseberth Station: Currently experiencing moderate flooding with rising levels.
  • Monkira and Durrie Station: Currently experiencing minor flooding.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the warning area are urged to prioritize safety:

  • Avoid Floodwater: Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater as it is dangerous.
  • Stay Away from Waterways: Keep a safe distance from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and other waterways.
  • Obey Road Closures: Do not attempt to drive on flooded roads and follow all official road closure signs.
  • Emergency Assistance: For emergency help, contact the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.
  • Stay Informed: Monitor local media and visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au/warnings for local emergency management advice.

Expected Conditions

  • Birdsville Police Station: The river level is currently 7.10 meters and falling, but is expected to reach the major flood level of 8.00 meters later this week as upstream flows arrive.
  • Diamantina Lakes: The river is currently at 5.72 meters and steady, which is above the moderate flood level (4.00 m) and the Springvale Diamantina Lakes Road Causeway level (2.10 m).
  • Roseberth Station: The river level was last observed at 5.18 meters and rising.
  • Monkira: The river level is currently 3.54 meters and steady.

Moderate rainfall is forecast over the next two days in the lower catchment, which may contribute to further river level rises.

Timeline

The warning is effective immediately. Major flooding is expected to reach Birdsville later this week. The Bureau of Meteorology will issue the next update by 12:00 PM AEST on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

Original source: BOM Official Notice ↗

All Weather Warnings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this BoM weather warning.

What is this BoM weather warning about?
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that major flooding is possible at Birdsville later this week as significant upstream flows move down the Diamantina River.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by BOM. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "high" severity. Take precautions and monitor for updates.
What area is affected?
This alert affects Southwest Queensland. Check with BOM for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more Weather Warnings updates?
Browse the full Weather Warnings feed on Areazine at areazine.com/au/weather/ for the latest updates from BOM and other agencies.