I WAS in an emporium on the Saturday when the storm broke in Melbourne.

Furious lightning, thunder, blinding sheets of rain and golf ball-sized hail.

Like nothing I have ever before experienced during my 86 years in Victoria.

The downpour was almost as bad as I had experienced in New Guinea and New Britain.

The rain struck with such force that it burst through the store’s roof, and a waterfall-like deluge poured in. We customers were directed to move to the rear exit lest the ceiling collapsed.

The damage was widespread throughout Melbourne.

Queensland was experiencing history-making floods. All over the world most unseasonable and harmful weather is occurring, which warrants co-ordinated action. The situation is indeed serious.

Whatever the cause, it is in the national interest that it should be above politics, not trivialised, and not branded as crap by Tony Abbott.

KEITH REMINGTON, Travancore