Several flights destined for Melbourne are forced to divert as massive storm unleashes heavy rain

Several flights destined for Melbourne are forced to divert to Sydney as massive storm unleashes heavy rain and wild winds

  • At least three flights bound for Melbourne airport have been forced to divert
  • Jetstar, Qantas and Singapore Airlines had to re-route flights to Sydney instead 
  • Swirling winds are being felt at Melbourne Airport, with gusts of up to 17 km/h 
  • Punters have fought the rain at Flemington Racecourse for the Melbourne Cup

At least three flights bound for Melbourne have been forced to divert as huge wind gusts lashed the Victorian capital on Tuesday.

Jetstar said one flight was forced to return to Sydney after having just left the harbour city.

Qantas and Singapore Airlines announced they also re-routed a flight to the NSW capital.

Swirling winds are being felt at Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine, with gusts of up to 17 km/h coming from south-south westerly directions. 

At least three flights bound for Melbourne airport have been forced to divert as huge wind gusts lash the Victorian capital on Tuesday (pictured diverted Singapore Airlines flight)

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michael Efron said 17.4mm of rain fell in Melbourne in the four hours up to 11am on Tuesday, and up to 10 mm was still on the way

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michael Efron said 17.4mm of rain fell in Melbourne in the four hours up to 11am on Tuesday, and up to 10 mm was still on the way

Jetstar said one flight was forced to go back to Sydney after having just left the harbour city

Jetstar said one flight was forced to go back to Sydney after having just left the harbour city

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michael Efron said 17.4mm of rain fell in Melbourne from 7am to 11am on Tuesday, and up to 10 mm was still on the way.

Drenched punters at Flemington Racecourse for the Melbourne Cup have been seen dodging flooded walkways and hiding under tents. 

Revellers are urged to pack an umbrella and maybe some not-so-fashionable gumboots as the city braces for a deluge, with temperatures to reach 20C.

Races two and three were pushed back as heavy rain drenched the racetrack. 

Punters, meanwhile, have been fighting the heavy rain at Flemington Racecourse for the Melbourne Cup

Punters, meanwhile, have been fighting the heavy rain at Flemington Racecourse for the Melbourne Cup

That’s good news for late arrivals who might find it difficult to get to the racecourse as the weather also wreaks havoc on the city’s public transport system.

Flooding near Flemington is causing train delays of up to 20 minutes and a number of inner-city tram services have been stopped because of storm damage.

Interstate visitors planning to jet out later in the day might also face delays, with Air Services Australia tweeting that Tuesday morning’s poor weather could cause problems.

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk