Townsville has received more than a metre of rain in just a week [Source: EPA]

Officials in the Australian city of Townsville are deliberately flooding several neighbourhoods after record rainfall that has swollen a dam beyond capacity.

Residents in and around the north-eastern city have been warned of “risk to life” and “unprecedented flooding” that could inundate up to 20,000 homes.

People have been told to seek shelter on higher ground.

Townsville has received more than a metre (3.3ft) of rain in just a week.

That is more than 20 times the average for the time of year – beating the previous record set in 1998, in what became known as the Night of Noah.

Gates at the Ross River dam were fully opened on Sunday evening because water levels were too high and the monsoon rains were continuing.

The Townsville Bulletin newspaper said low-lying properties were being flooded, and troops on boats were searching for residents in need of help.

Between 15cm and 25cm of rain had fallen on the city since Sunday morning, the newspaper said.

Cars and livestock have already been swept away around the coastal city in the state of Queensland.