CANBERRA - The Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra has cancelled all classes and events for Monday after a storm triggered flash flooding in parts of the city on Sunday (Feb 25) and forced several roads to close.

Some parts of the city received more than February's average rainfall in just a few hours. The city recorded 66.2mm by 2pm (11am Singapore time), compared with the average rainfall for February of 51.2mm, local media reported.

The ANU, which has more than 22,000 students including a large number from overseas, said in a statement on its website: "The closure is to ensure the safety of all students and staff as the University conducts essential safety checks on infrastructure including bridges, creek banks and electrical switchboards."

In a note to students, the university said it was experiencing significant flooding and power interruptions across the campus.

Several adjacent suburbs were also flooded, local media said, with much of the floodwaters carried by Sullivans Creek, which runs through the middle of the campus.

Northern parts of the city, where the campus is located, were worst hit.

Video of the flooding carried by Australian media shows raging floodwaters covering roads in some parts of the city, while homes and apartment buildings were under knee-deep water.