A large-scale search is underway for an elderly man believed to have gone missing in floodwaters in the flood-hit Riverlands region of South Australia (SA).
Police said a man was reported missing in floodwaters near Casson Avenue at Roxton North on the Murray River, south of Bury, around 1:30 pm Monday.
“The search is expected to continue until the last light and will resume tomorrow morning,” SA Police said.
South Australian Emergency Service crews are assisting police with the search, along with interstate resources. SES spokesman he told AAP.
Peak flows have also reached Mannum, east of Adelaide, closing a major ferry crossing on Monday and the river heights are expected to continue flowing into the Lower Lakes by the weekend.
Rising rivers will likely close Tailem Bend ferries in the next few days, creating transportation problems for a significant number of residents.
This brings the number of closures to 11. The two remaining ferries, Kader and Narung, may also cease operations by mid-January.
Closure of Tailem Bend turns what previously took 10 minutes to cross the river into an 80 km round trip to access the Murray Bridge pedestrian crossing.
In response, the state government will authorize a one-time payment of $300 to low-income individuals, pensioners, preferential cardholders, job seekers, and students to cover extra travel expenses.
Eligible reasons include attending medical appointments, working, volunteering, collecting supplies, or participating in caregiving duties.
Treasury Secretary Stephen Mulligan said the move is expected to cost the government up to $3 million (US$2 million).
“Enabling people to stay mobile in these communities is an important commitment for us,” he said.
“The last thing we want is for people to feel unable to go about their daily lives because flood waters are rising.”
Prime Minister Peter Malinaukas said even without floods, fuel costs would be a huge burden for low and fixed income households.
“Road and ferry closures have made it even more difficult for some people in the river community to go to shops, attend appointments and take care of friends and family,” he said. rice field.
“This one-time payment is an acknowledgment of that fact.”
Ferries will resume service when water levels begin to recede, but no date has been set at this time.
The prime minister said Riverland’s Lyrup ferry would logically be the first to reopen.
He said when ferries can resume service often depends not only on water levels, but on other issues such as the safety of road approaches.
The Murray Floods affected approximately 3,400 properties in South Australia, including approximately 400 prime residences.
It also closed more than 120 roads crossing river communities.
Australian Associated Press is an Australian news agency.