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Australia: Extreme weather in pictures

Following months of severe drought, parts of eastern Australia have been hit by flooding and hailstorms after dust storms swept though drought-stricken areas.

News imageMarcia Macmillan / AFP A child running towards a dust storm in Mullengudgery in New South WalesMarcia Macmillan / AFP
A dust storm hits Mullengudgery in New South Wales.
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News imageAFP Storm clouds gather over Sydney Harbour on January 20AFP
Storm clouds gather over Sydney Harbour.
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News imageGetty Images Rain begins to fall on drought and fire-ravaged country near Tamworth, New South WalesGetty Images
Heavy rain falls on drought-hit areas in New South Wales such as Tamworth, leading to flooding in some areas.
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News imageGetty Images A car is seen travelling through flooded streets in Surry Hills, Sydney. 20 JanGetty Images
In Sydney, streets have been flooded.
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News imageAustralian Reptile Park / AFP A staff member carrying koalas during a flash flood at the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, north of Sydney. 17 JanAustralian Reptile Park / AFP
At the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, north of Sydney, a staff member carries koalas during a flash flood.
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News imageJoanne Carvolth / Reuters In this still image taken from video, hail falls in Canberra. 20 JanJoanne Carvolth / Reuters
Meanwhile, the capital Canberra faced a hailstorm.
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News imageGetty Images Golf ball-sized hail is shown at Parliament House in Canberra on January 20Getty Images
Giant hail fell outside Parliament House in Canberra.
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News imageEPA A man holds golf ball-size hail at Parliament House after a severe hail storm hit CanberraEPA
It was the size of golf balls.
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News imageEPA People look at hail stones on the ground after a severe hail storm at Parliament HouseEPA
The ice melted quickly after the storm.
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News imageEPA Damaged cars are seen parked outside Old Parliament House after a hail storm hit CanberraEPA
The aftermath left broken windows and left some cars with minor damage to windscreens and bodywork.

All photographs copyrighted as marked