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The Murray River has peaked on the South Australian border however authorities say cities downstream ought to stay on excessive alert.
The river has been dropping at Renmark by about six gigalitres a day for the previous three days, State Emergency Companies chief Chris Beattie mentioned.
“We’re assured this means the height has handed,” he mentioned on Tuesday.
“All of our gauges downstream from Renmark proceed to point out rises and we’ll count on to see that outlook proceed for the following two-and-a-half to a few weeks as the height flows by means of.”
The flood levee has held up at Renmark but the downstream Mypolonga levee was breached on Monday and it could be overtopped in coming days, Mr Beattie said.
The Bolto community, about 100 kilometers east of Adelaide, is also isolated after the levee at Mannum was breached.
Authorities would continue to do welfare checks to ensure the remaining Bolto residents were safe, Mr Beattie said.
Three adults and a child had to be rescued from floodwaters on Monday after their boat failed near Blanchetown.
The group had been returning to collect furniture from their property when their vessel sank and they had to cling to trees.
“The near miss is a timely reminder of the dangers of the river,” Mr Beattie said.
“I encourage all people who have to use the river either for work or to access a property to be very mindful of the restrictions.”
All non-essential activities on the Murray have been banned, including boating, fishing and swimming. Multiple ferry services remain suspended.
More than 3000 houses and properties remain without power, with more disconnections expected.
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas on Tuesday announced $10,000 grants for small businesses, farm enterprises and not-for-profit organizations affected by the floods.
The grants will be available to those businesses along the river who have experienced a downturn of 30 percent over a three-month period.
“We’re hopeful that all businesses will survive beyond the floods,” Mr Malinauskas said.
Meanwhile, ex-tropical cyclone Ellie is dumping intense rain on the Northern Territory’s Barkly region near Tennant Creek before moving northwest towards Western Australia.
Despite the change of direction, authorities warn that life-threatening flash flooding is possible, with 24-hour rainfall totals up to 300 millimeters and damaging winds forecast for some areas.
A severe weather warning and flood warning remains in place for various rivers and catchments in the north-western, central and southern NT.
-AAP

