Darwin, NT – Communities across the Northern Territory are once again grappling with devastating floods, forcing hundreds to evacuate their homes. The situation is particularly acute for residents of Nauiyu, Daly River, where many are facing the prospect of a repeat of the catastrophic flooding of 1998. This latest round of evacuations highlights the increasing vulnerability of Northern Territory communities to extreme weather events and the challenges of disaster preparedness in remote areas.
Phillip Morgan, a 47-year-old resident of Nauiyu, remembers the 1998 floods vividly. At the time, he was just 19 years old when the Daly River reached a record peak of 16.25 metres at the Daly River Police Station gauge – a level that remains the highest recorded to date. Now, with the Daly River continuing to rise following significant rainfall, Morgan and over 300 other residents have been evacuated to Darwin. “It’s a sizeable wet season this year,” Morgan told NITV News. “We are a bit worried about our homes since we left the community. It’s going to be lots of work when we return back to community.”
The evacuations, which began over the weekend, extend beyond Nauiyu/Daly River to include the remote communities of Palumpa, Beswick, and Jilkminggan. Most residents were airlifted by helicopters, marking the second time in a month that Daly River residents have been forced to flee their homes due to flooding. The current flooding is reportedly more severe than the February event, with the full extent of the damage to homes and infrastructure still being assessed. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) reports that the Daly River is expected to “continue rising throughout the week,” though current levels are not predicted to surpass the 1998 record, remaining a “wait to see” scenario, according to BOM NT hazard preparedness and response manager, Shenagh Gamble.
Second Evacuation in Two Months
For many, the repeated displacement is deeply unsettling. Seventeen-year-old Nauiyu resident Simon Wade Jones described the recent evacuation as “pretty shocking,” explaining that he had only just returned to the community two weeks after being evacuated during the February floods. “We had to jump on choppers and stuff, the water was coming up really quick,” Jones told NITV News, speaking from the temporary evacuation centre at the Darwin showgrounds.
The flooding isn’t limited to the Daly River region. The town of Katherine, approximately 300 kilometres southeast of Darwin, is also in recovery mode after experiencing its highest flood levels in almost three decades on Saturday night, peaking at around 19.2 metres. Katherine Mayor Joanna Holden emphasized the resilience of the community, stating, “The sense of community here is so strong. We will together get through this and hold each other up.”
Financial Assistance and Water Supply Concerns
The federal government has activated disaster assistance payments for Katherine residents, providing immediate relief of $611 per adult and $309 per child, capped at $1,537 per family. Re-establishment payments of $8,843 are also available to those affected.
Meanwhile, Darwin residents are being urged to conserve water following damage to water pumps at the city’s main dam caused by the flooding. The dam is currently operating at over 110 per cent capacity, and Power and Water Corporation is working to restore full functionality, potentially utilizing generators. The disruption to infrastructure also led to empty supermarket shelves across the Top End over the weekend, though NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro announced that rail lines reopened Sunday night, with two trains delivering food supplies to Darwin on Monday.
The ongoing situation underscores the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events impacting Northern Territory communities. Authorities continue to monitor the Daly River and other waterways, and residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow the advice of emergency services.
If you or someone you know needs support, the following resources are available:
- NT Emergency Service (NTES): 132 500
- 13YARN: 13 92 76
- Aboriginal Counselling Services: 0410 539 905
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
The focus now shifts to assessing the full extent of the damage and providing ongoing support to those displaced by the floods. Continued monitoring of river levels and proactive disaster preparedness measures will be crucial in mitigating the impact of future events.
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