Rivers rising with more heavy falls forecast

Andrew Stafford |

Much of Victoria faces disruption as a result of heavy rain and storms.
Much of Victoria faces disruption as a result of heavy rain and storms.

A severe weather system continues to dump heavy rain across sodden riverine catchments, sparking widespread warnings of transport disruption and delays.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood watch for most of Victoria including the northeast, central, southwest and northwest, as well as parts of Gippsland.

It also said bursts of heavy rain accompanied by potentially damaging winds and thunderstorms were possible in parts of NSW as a band of heavy weather swept the southern states.

In Victoria, the Otway Ranges southwest of Melbourne and Gippsland are facing 24 hour rain totals up to 90 millimetres, with isolated falls up to 150mm possible in elevated regions.

Six-hourly totals up to 70mm have been forecast, with conditions not expected to ease until late Saturday.

Gippsland is also likely to be hard hit, with 24 hour totals between 50 and 80mm likely and isolated falls up to 110mm possible, with conditions easing Sunday morning.

“This is on top of the rain you’ve already had in the last few days, so I’ll say it again, the soils are already saturated,” senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.

Over 100mm has already fallen in parts of the Otways, with heavy rain continuing to fall on Saturday afternoon.

“Another 30 to 50mm on top of last night’s deluge could certainly fall there,” Mr Hines said.

The rain was centred around a low pressure system situated over the Murray River on the NSW-Victorian border.

Cleaning a footpath following heavy rain (file)
Over 100mm of rain had already fallen in parts of the Otways on Saturday, with more on the way. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

For now, there was just one official flood warning in place for the Bunyip River in Victoria but Mr Hines said more rivers were likely to see rises across the weekend.

He said the situation was dynamic and it was highly likely more flood warnings would be issued.

In NSW, a severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the Illawarra and parts of south coast, central and southern tablelands, the central west slopes and plains.

Locations which may be affected include Orange, Goulburn, Dubbo, Nowra, Bowral and Bathurst.

The severe weather is expected to clear by the end of the weekend.

AAP