Flood warnings in place in Australia’s eastern states, with predictions the wet weather could persist until the middle of next week

SES volunteer Maxine Douce monitors the water level at a bridge in Railton, Tasmania, last week. More rain is forecast across Australia’s eastern states in the coming days. Photograph: Phillip Biggs/EPA

Five states now face flooding following continuing heavy rain along Australia’s east coast.

Emergency flood warnings are in place in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania, with rain and thunderstorms forecast across much of the eastern states in the coming days. The wet weather may persist until midweek, as two weather systems converge.