Queensland braces for days of heavy rain as BoM issues flood warnings for parts of state

A second system is expected to cause heavy rain in the coastal regional around Townsville and Cairns, which has already seen totals of about 100mm in the past day. Photograph: AAP

Large parts of north Queensland are set to be battered by days of heavy rain, with some areas expected to receive up to 500mm in the coming week, according to the weather bureau.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall in the gulf region, and is expected to issue another for the coastal region around Townsville later today.