Victorians are being warned to take care when using the state's waterways ahead of heavy rain after a man died while canoeing in Melbourne's Yarra River.
The State Emergency Service tried to rescue a man and woman after their canoe overturned on rapid waters at Dights Falls in Abbotsford about 1.30am on Wednesday.
A Rowville man, 29, died and a woman, 46, was rescued and taken to hospital for observation.
SES state agency commander David Tucek said the incident was a reminder for people to take care, with heavy rain and thunderstorms to lash parts of the state during the next three days.
He said all Victorians should be mindful of conditions and plan ahead as already-full river catchments continued to grow.
"Particularly as Victoria's communities get out and about and enjoy their renewed freedoms, it's important to understand the waterways may be different to what you've experienced over previous years," he told reporters on Wednesday.
"We are in a period of spring rainfall and we're seeing higher than usual totals out across the landscape."
He also warned anyone travelling that "it only takes 15 centimetres (of floodwater) to float or lose control of your vehicle".
With thunderstorms and heavy rain to hit northern and eastern parts of Victoria and Melbourne from Wednesday until at least Friday, Mr Tucek encouraged people not to park under trees, look out for road closures and take care when driving.
A flood watch is in place for Gippsland, northeast and central Victoria, with minor, moderate and "isolated major flooding" possible in some river catchments.
The heaviest rain is expected to ease by Saturday, but flooding would continue, the Bureau of Meteorology said.
