A large-scale evacuation is under way in the Northern Territory as severe flooding threatens remote communities. About 600 people from Daly River (Nauiyu) and Nganmarriyanga (formerly Palumpa) are being airlifted to Darwin, with six aircraft involved in the operation.
The Daly River is expected to exceed the major flood level of 14 metres, reaching 14.5 metres on Sunday. Northern Territory police incident control commander Shaun Gill said communities are facing a 'major flood level event'. The Katherine River also poses a threat, with the town of Katherine potentially cut off for days as a high-level bridge goes underwater.
Two flood rescues were performed in Katherine on Friday night, and six people have been rescued in total. Acting NT police commissioner Travis Wurst confirmed the town's levees are holding and the central business district remains dry, but 377 people are sheltering with sufficient bottled water. Emergency supplies are being dropped as the town may be isolated.
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro expressed concern for evacuated residents, many of whom had recently returned home after previous flooding. 'They've just been repatriated back home and are now facing significant flooding again,' she said. Evacuees are staying at Foskey Pavilion in Darwin for an undetermined period.
Meanwhile, most of Queensland remains on flood watch, with a tropical low tracking south-east toward the Wide Bay Burnett region. Major flood warnings are active for western Queensland rivers, including the Georgina and Thomson rivers, and Eyre and Cooper creeks. Up to 150mm of rain fell overnight in parts of the state.
