More mass fish deaths possible if forecast heavy rains wash bushfire ash into rivers

Expected falls up to 80mm in fire grounds in Victoria and New South Wales called a 'double-edged sword'

Forecast heavy rains across bushfire-hit areas of Victoria and New South Wales may cause mass fish deaths as ash and sediment is washed into rivers, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority has warned.

Central parts of Victoria and and NSW are forecast to see falls up to 80mm between Thursday and Sunday, some of it in areas recovering from bushfires. Fire grounds in the Snowy Mountains and south coast regions of NSW may get strong falls.