Mildura: SES urge people to avoid river swimming after flood

Mildura is still open for business but residents are being asked to avoid a favourite river pastime as flooding continues. See what it is here.

Mildura residents are being asked to avoid a favourite river pastime with flooding expected to continue into the festive season.

The Bureau of Meteorology has Mildura listed as an alert with moderate flooding in the area with a peak expected to be reached later this month.

There is a watch and act alert to avoid the flooded areas around the River Murray including areas downstream of Red Cliffs to Yelta, including Mildura.

Mildura SES Incident Controller Mark Cattel urged residents to avoid using the floodwaters to cool off.

“We know the weather is heating up and over the weekend it is going to be quite warm but we don’t want people swimming anywhere in the river or the flood waters,” he said earlier this week.

“We don’t know what is in the flood waters and it is not the place to swim, there are plenty of other pools around Mildura.”

SEE MORE:

• Murray River reopens to paddle steamers
• SES reminds tourists that Mildura is still open for business
  

There is a forecast reach height of 38.3m for the river next week which has been delayed due to a levee breach in Euston.

With the continued flooding, the emergency services are also concerned about a rise in snake activity in the region.

Mr Cattel advised tourists to the area to check their accommodation ahead of the festive season.

“Mildura is still open for business, we’re still trying to keep the tourists coming up here,” he said.

“There is still plenty to do up here just stay away from the river.”