Inclement weather conditions are hampering police search efforts to locate a man reported as missing in the Yulara area since Monday.

Police received a report that a 48-year-old man left Yulara at 2pm on Monday 17 January to travel to Pipalyatjara in South Australia via the Telstra track (2.6km south west of Kata Tjuta).

Local police, who had advised the man not to travel due to severe weather conditions in the area at the time, were alerted yesterday when the man failed to arrive at his destination.

Search and Rescue Coordinator, Senior Sergeant Michael Potts said poor weather conditions across the area have hampered police search and rescue efforts to locate the man.

“Officers were deployed via 4WD to conduct a search of the track and surrounding areas, but unfortunately had to return as the track conditions were too wet and we risked getting stuck out there,” said Snr Sgt Potts

“Low cloud across the area has prevented us from doing an aerial search to try and pinpoint the man’s exact location. A fixed wing aircraft has just been deployed.”

“The man is driving a black Ford 4X4 with QLD registration CRA-845 and has ample water and some food, but obviously we want to find him as soon as possible to ensure he is ok.”