The NSW flood death toll has risen to seven after two bodies were discovered in southwest Sydney, as the heavy downpour continues.
The bodies were found in Wentworthville, not far from where a car was discovered in a stormwater canal.
Police were alerted just before 8.30am that a woman had been discovered floating in Cooper’s Creek after a 7 News reporter and cameraman stumbled upon her.
During a search of the area, police discovered a man’s body about half a kilometre away.
Their identities are yet to be formally confirmed but Hemalathasolhyr Satchithanantham, 67, was believed to be with her 34-year-old son Bramooth at the time she went missing.
Police have been told Bramooth has autism and is non-verbal.
In Queensland, a prominent rheumatologist has been identified as one of the 13 people who died during the state’s epic floods.
Alexander Klestov, 76, was on his way home after treating patients in Rocxjmtzywkhampton when he became trapped in floodwaters.
It is believed the father-of-three had his car washed away on the Brisbane Valley Hwy, about 60km northwest of Brisbane on February 27.
The doctor’s body was found in a nearby gully two days after a “rain bomb” exploded in Queensland’s southeast.
His son Peter said Dr Klestov had planned to retire more than a decade ago but was concerned about the shortage of rheumatologists in Queensland.
“He felt a duty, I guess, to just keep going. That was his dedication,” he told the ABC.
A Queensland Russian Community Centre spokesperson described their former president as a humble, compassionate and funny man with a great love for Russian poetry and history.
“Words cannot express how much we appreciated his input and support at the centre,” they said.
Back in Sydney, multiple roads were shut down as torrential downpours swept the city throughout Tuesday.
Across the state, there were 59 evacuation orders affecting 40,000 people, as well as 15 warnings for more than 20,000 people.
Motorists were again asked to avoid non-essential travel and drive with care in the extremely dangerous conditions.
As Manly Dam in the city’s north began to spill on Tuesday afternoon, a further 800 homes and 2000 people downstream were placed on notice to prepare to evacuate.
“The dam is currently spilling but I am informed by the engineers that the dam itself is safe,” NSW State Emergency Services Commissioner Carlene York said.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said more flash flooding was expected during the week.
Meanwhile, Hollywood heart-throb Chris Hemsworth is quietly funding private helicopter flights to reach isolated residents of NSW’s devastated Northern Rivers region.
The actor, who is currently filming in Prague, has provided a pool of funds for privately operated choppers to drop supplies to people in need following the catastrophic floods.
Over the past two days it is estimated there has been more than 50 drop-offs isolated people.
They included urgent deliveries of food in New Italy to 10 adults and four babies who had not eaten in 12 hours, local air charter company Avmin said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will travel to Lismore on Wednesday after completing Covid isolation.
Ahead of the visit to the Northern Rivers region, Mr Morrison said the next phase of financial support for flood-ravaged communities was coming.
“The government is finalising its first wave, over and above measures, particularly for the Northern Rivers area. The NSW government is doing the same,” he said.
“We’re looking to integrate those plans as much as possible to ensure that we can rebuild northern NSW, particularly in the most acutely affected area in and around Lismore.”
