Crossword Genius

Southern USA struck hardship after icecap melts (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

austral

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'southern' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'usa struck hardship after icecap melts' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
an anagram of 'usa' is 'aus' which is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for austral that I've seen before include "Of the southern hemisphere" , "Southern - rat Saul (anag)" , "coming from Perth?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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