Insurers have received 140,754 claims related to the NSW/Queensland flood catastrophe, but the rate of increase appears to be slowing down.

The claims numbers are up 3.7% on yesterday’s figures, and the Insurance Council of Australia says the estimated cost of claims is now $2.11 billion.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology says while the flood-inducing La Nina weather system is past its peak, trade winds remain stronger than average in the western Pacific, which has delayed further weakening over the past fortnight.

A return to neutral conditions may not come until late autumn, the bureau says.

“Even as La Nina weakens, it will continue to influence global weather and climate,” the latest update warns.

“Atmospheric and oceanic indicators over the Pacific persist at La Nina levels.

“La Nina events increase the likelihood of tropical cyclones within the Australian region, as well as increasing the chances of above average rainfall across large parts of eastern Australia during autumn.”