Help is on the way: supplies flown into stranded communities as rain eases across NSW

While flood waters will continue to rise in some areas, the worst of the weather is over, the Bureau of Meteorology says

• A flood-hit NSW farmer's lament for his lost cows

A reprieve is on the way for flood-hit communities in New South Wales with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting sunshine and easing conditions for the rest of the week.

More evacuation warnings were issued on Tuesday with much of the Australian state - in addition to areas of Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the ACT - continuing to receive heavy rainfalls.