Crossword Genius

Flood at lower level around river (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

drown

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'flood' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'lower level around river' is the wordplay.
'lower level' becomes 'down' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'river' becomes 'r' (abbreviation for river).
'down' going around 'r' is 'DROWN'.

'at' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for drown that I've seen before include "Die in sea" , "Kill by submersion" , "Immerse (fatally?)" , "Die from submersion in liquid" , "Become submerged" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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