Floodwaters in the remote town of Daly River, approximately 220 kilometers southwest of Darwin, are approaching what could become the community’s worst flooding on record. As of Friday morning, the water level at the Daly River Police Station gauge reached 16.23 meters, just shy of the 1998 record flood level of 16.25 meters.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a major flood warning on Friday, forecasting continued “moderate rainfall” for the area in the coming days. James Ashley from the BOM stated that “there’s every chance” the flooding will reach and possibly exceed the 1998 levels by a “few centimeters”. He also noted that the community should prepare for a “prolonged flood event”, with water levels expected to remain high for at least another week.
Evacuations and Community Impact
Residents of Daly River, also known as Nauiyu, were evacuated on Saturday and have since taken shelter at Foskey Pavilion at the Darwin Showgrounds. This marks the second major flooding incident this year, although the previous event saw water levels peak at 14.2 meters.
Meanwhile, the flood threat in Katherine has diminished, with water levels dropping below the flood stage at 14.25 meters. As of Thursday, assessments of about half of the homes in Katherine and the nearby community of Beswick have been completed, with 25 homes declared “severely damaged”.
“Floodwaters can hide damaged roads, debris, and other hazards, and in the territory, they also present a very real crocodile threat,” said incident controller Emma Carter.
Wider Flood Warnings Across the Top End
Beyond Daly River, a major flood warning remains in effect for the Georgina River and Eyre Creek, potentially impacting properties along the Northern Territory-Queensland border. However, the BOM reports “no significant rainfall” is expected in that region over the next few days.
Residents along the Victoria River, including those in Kalkarindji, have been issued a minor flood warning following overnight rainfall of up to 115 millimeters. The gauge at Kalkarindji was at 2.87 meters and rising on Friday morning, with minor flooding starting at 9 meters.
Acting Commander Carter announced the closure of the Victoria Highway as engineers assess the safety of bridges and roads. “Motorists should expect some delays and should check the Road Report before traveling,” she advised.
Relief Efforts and Infrastructure Challenges
Eight days into the flooding across the Top End, more than 800 people remain in evacuation centers in Katherine, Mataranka, and Darwin. Despite the challenges, some services are gradually resuming normal operations. Assistance payments are being distributed, with over 1,110 payments already issued to affected residents in Katherine.
Efforts to restore pumping equipment at Darwin’s main dam are ongoing after flooding caused a shutdown on Monday. As of Thursday afternoon, two pumps were operational via temporary generators. John Pease, acting chief executive of Power and Water Corporation (PWC), stated that all four pumps are expected to reconnect to the main power supply by the end of Friday.
“We’ve also taken pre-emptive steps and sandbagged around the pump room, and we have our sump pump ready to prevent any further inundation,” Pease explained.
At the peak of the flooding in Katherine, approximately 2,800 households lost power, with that number reduced to 196 by Friday morning. Pease emphasized the need for residents to obtain certificates of compliance for electrical safety once water recedes, as this is required before power can be restored.
Looking Ahead
As the Northern Territory continues to grapple with severe weather, the BOM warns of potential renewed river rises due to forecasted rainfall. Relief efforts remain a priority, with additional staff deployed to expedite assistance in affected areas.
The situation underscores the ongoing challenges of managing flood risks in remote communities, highlighting the need for robust infrastructure and emergency response strategies. As the region braces for more rain, authorities and residents alike remain vigilant, hoping to mitigate further impacts from this relentless natural event.
