Heavy rains today caused widespread flooding in Sydney, its most populous city Australiawhere more than 10 people were rescued and authorities were forced to issue evacuation orders for some suburbs.

Emergency services said they mounted 13 rescue operations and received 297 calls for help from Sydney residents due to flooding caused by the heavy rain.

New South Wales state authorities have issued ten evacuation orders for Sydney’s north-western suburbs.

The National Weather Service warned of an increased risk of severe flooding in the Australian metropolis of 5.4 million people.