500k sandbags from India to support Riverland flood response

The state government has secured half a million sandbags from across the Indian Ocean as 2000 shacks and businesses face losing their electricity supply ahead of peak flows in December.

A back and forth between a local MP and the Emergency Services Minister has cast doubt on the availability of extra sandbags needed to stave off the impacts of flooding in the Riverland.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs reassured those affected by flooding that sandbags would be available at their local SES outlets.

But Liberal MP for Chaffey Tim Whetstone, whose electorate encompasses the Riverland, has hit back at the claim.

“My constituents have been visiting their local SES stations in the Riverland and the response has been that we don’t have any sandbags,” Mr Whetstone said.

“And we’re unsure when we’ll have the next shipment.”

International reinforcements are being sent to the Riverland in the form of 500,000 sandbags, as the River Murray peak flow looks set to increase to 165GL a day from early December.

It is understood the sandbags have been bought directly from suppliers in India and will be rolled out into communities as required.

Mr Szakacs said the sandbags will be distributed by the SA SES and other emergency services “in a strategic way and in a way that they are operationally determined to be in the best place at the best time.”

Meanwhile, the SA SES will also begin using a new “super-sized” sandbag technology as part of the response to the flooding event.

SA SES chief officer Chris Beattie said the temporary protection system will be used alongside traditional methods.

Premier Peter Malinauskas and SA SES chief officer Chris Beattie visited Riverland communities earlier this month as peak flow is expected to increase to 165GL a day from early December. Picture: NCA NewsWire

It comes as SA Power Networks has warned about 2000 shacks and businesses will likely have their electricity supply cut in the next few weeks.

Bookpurnong Road, linking Berri and Loxton, is also expected to be closed in the coming weeks as water levels are threatening to spill over.

SAPN Head of corporate affairs Paul Roberts said the electricity distributor had been making urgent assessments around the potential impact on customers and infrastructure as the river rises.

“We will communicate directly with customers affected where we can via our SMS system, but we are aware that many shacks will be unoccupied,” he said.

More than 100 properties have already had power cut.

MAPPED: WHERE SHACKS WILL BE FLOODED

“There is a real potential risk to the community from electric shock or other issues associated with our infrastructure in flood waters and we also believe it is important customers are aware of the risk posed by electrical wiring and appliances within the property.”

He also said solar panels should be shut down and people with batteries should consider moving them above expected flood levels. That is a job for a qualified electrician.

Amazing pictures: More than 60 incredible drone shots of the River Murray floods

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Properties impacted by flood waters would also need a safety certificate from a qualified electrician before power could be restored to a property.

SASES Chief Officer Chris Beattie said last week it was estimated that about 400 properties would be “inundated above the floor level” if the 165GL mark is reached.

Mr Beattie added that they were planning for 165GL a day but “have their mind open to the fact that it could be higher”.

“At the 200GL mark we are looking at approximately 4250 premises (being flooded),” Mr Beattie said.

Berri Barmera Council CEO Dylan Strong had said council are keeping an eye on the Bookpurnong Rd and have plans in place if water floods the road.