Increased rainfall has caused a Tablelands dam to spill over sparking concern for residents

Increased rainfall across the Far North has caused a Tablelands dam to spill excess water into the Barron River.

Cairns could receive local heavy rainfalls this week. Picture: Brendan Radke

Increased rainfall across the Far North has caused Tinaroo Falls Dam on the Tablelands to spill over excess water into the Barron River.

Water service provider SunWater has advised the Mareeba community and surrounding areas to stay up to date in case the situation changes by monitoring the Tinaroo Falls Dam level, river and rainfall conditions, checking local news and road closures and council disaster dashboards.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Meteorology forecasters said the Cairns region was in for more rain after a couple of drier days.

Bureau Meteorologist Harry Clarke said the trough currently drenching Cape York would soon turn its attention towards Cairns around the middle of the week along with possible thunderstorms.

Forecasters have warned that rivers and creeks around the Far North could respond quickly to flooding rainfall.

“A monsoon trough currently extends over the Cape York Peninsula, enhancing rainfall over the Gulf Country and Peninsula Districts,” he said.

“For the first few days this week it will rain to the north but from around Wednesday the rough will split and a part will head south, so there’s potential for local heavy falls to make its way down towards Cairns”.

Mr Clarke said the forecast for Cairns on Monday was partly cloudy with a slight chance of a shower, light winds and a top of 32C.

He said there was a chance of flooding by the end of the week.

“Catchments across the flood watch area are wet to saturated in response to thunderstorm activity over the last several days,” he said.

“Rivers and creeks are likely to respond quickly to further rainfall.”

This means anyone travelling north must take extra care.

“Widespread daily totals of 30-60 mm, with isolated totals of over 150mm are likely across most of the Cape York Peninsula and across western Gulf catchments from Sunday,” he said.

“Riverine and localised flooding, including flash flooding, is likely, which is likely to cause disruption to transport routes and isolation of some communities’.

Originally published as Increased rainfall has caused a Tablelands dam to spill over sparking concern for residents