A HUGE storm has forced Qantas pilots to return to Sydney after trying twice to land in Bendigo.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The pilots tried the first time and then diverted to Albury.
They made a second attempt later but it was still too dangerous and they decided to fly back to New South Wales' capital.
Passengers have been offered a range of options including hotel accommodation or a flight on a bigger plane to Melbourne, where they would then be bussed to Bendigo.
Passengers who had hoped to catch the cancelled flight from Bendigo to Sydney have been bussed to Melbourne Airport and flown to their final destination.
"We thank our passengers for their patience during this inconvenience," a Qantas spokesperson said.
More than 60mm of rain has now fallen on Bendigo since midnight, most of which has dropped since 8.30am.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued fresh severe weather warnings for possible flash flooding on Friday afternoon.
It expected deluges to ease on Saturday.
Other news:
Qantas is not the only transport service affected by Friday's wild weather.
Early this morning a lightning strike in Harcourt delayed a train from Bendigo to Melbourne.
The service was delayed half-an-hour before a fault on the line was repaired.
In Bendigo itself, the SES has been kept busy with calls for help and multiple stores in the city centre have dealt with flooding.
One pharmacy used disposable nappies to help clean up the mess left by a blocked drain.
Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
