Farming and environment
Mildura gets set for the next big wet

MILDURA could get another spring soaking this week with as much as 54mm tipped to fall across the already sodden region.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a high chance of showers and possible thunderstorms over four days beginning on Wednesday when the heaviest falls are predicted.

The Mallee copped a soaking last week when 64.6mm of rain was dumped on Mildura last Wednesday and Thursday, including the highest daily October rainfall on record.

Another 10mm to 25mm is forecast for Mildura on Wednesday, 4mm to 15mm on Thursday, up to 4mm on Friday and between 3mm and 10mm on Saturday.

Mildura Mayor Liam Wood said last week's rainfall had affected a number of council assets and local roads, and staff were working as quickly as possible to make necessary repairs.

"Like other areas across Victoria, last week’s heavy rainfall has impacted several areas of public infrastructure throughout our municipality, including roads and other public spaces," Cr Wood said.

"Given the extent of the rain – well over double the monthly average for October in less than 24 hours – this was unavoidable and it’s going to take some time to assess these impacts, and then undertake the necessary remedial work," he said.

"Rest assured, our teams have been on the ground making these assessments from the moment the rain started last week."

Cr Wood said that while a lot of progress had already been made, it could take some time to work through the jobs given the size of our municipality.

"Please be patient while we complete this process," Cr Wood said.

Meanwhile, Mildura residents have been warned that minor flooding in the Murray River is expected to peak in mid-November.

Victoria State Emergency Service said the Murray River at Wentworth may reach the minor flood level (32.08 metres Australian Height Datum) around Wednesday to Saturday, while the Mildura Weir could also reach the minor flood level (36.00 metres) in mid-November with further rises possible.

It said the river level at Wentworth may reach about 32.3 metres in early November.

The Murray River at Boundary Bend is likely to exceed the minor flood level and may reach about 8.30 metres early November.

Major flooding is likely to extend to Kerang from overnight Monday into Tuesday with river levels likely to peak at similar levels to the January 2011 flood event.

The SES said forecasts for Swan Hill and further downstream along the Murray River would be refined once there was more certainty in the expected peak at Echuca Wharf.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority said it was conducting flood operations at Hume Dam to manage inflows from the upper Murray, Mitta Mitta River and other tributaries and was working closely with the bureau and WaterNSW to plan release strategies.

Consequences of flooding along the Murray River are expected to vary between NSW and Victoria.

Much of north-west Victoria remained cut off from the remainder of the state with many roads damaged or closed due to flooding.

The Calder Highway was closed from Marong to Bridgewater and the Sunraysia Highway between Waubra and St Arnaud was also closed.

V/Line said there were no services on the Swan Hill to Bendigo line until further notice.

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