Aid approved for cyclone-affected in Australia

Extended financial aid were approved Friday for residents, businesses and farmers affected by Cyclone Marcia which hit Australia's second largest state of Queensland last week.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the extended payments while visiting the disaster zone clean-up sites in Rockhampton, the largest city hit by Marcia, Xinhua reported.

"Today I can announce that the Australian disaster recovery payments will be extended," he said.

"These will go to people who have suffered significant damage to property."

Other than Rockhampton, the towns of Yeppoon, Byfield, Biloela were also severely hit by the cyclone.

The disaster recovery allowance gives access to payments of around 270 Australian dollars ($210) a week for up to 13 weeks.

Meanwhile, volunteer emergency services workers, staff from local government bodies and the Australian army are continuing the recovery work.

Personnel are cutting up and disposing off thousands of trees brought down by the category 5 cyclone, as well as clearing debris such as roofs and metal from the streets.

Local farms growing tropical fruits and vegetables have also been decimated, with an estimated 100,000 pineapples rotting in fields.

According to a farmer, the pineapples had absorbed so much water that the fruits boiled in their skins in the heatwave which followed the cyclone.