Daguaragu and Pigeon Hole communities have been fully evacuated to Kalkarindji.

Evacuees are being transferred to Darwin and will be accommodated at the Centre of National Resilience in Howard Springs.

The evacuation of Kalkarindji is ongoing. The Australian Defence Force is supporting the operation with a C-27J and two C-130 aeroplanes running flights out of Kalkarindji to Katherine, speeding up the evacuation of residents.

While Palumpa community is subject to an Emergency Declaration, the community did not need to be evacuated, as utilities were restored once water levels receded.

Regional Controller Daniel Bacon said, “We have multiple government and non-government agencies working together, coordinated from the Territory Emergency Operations Centre, to ensure the safety and amenity of people in the areas affected by this flooding event.  

“Flights commenced out of Kalkarindji to Katherine this morning utilising light aircraft before larger defence aircraft were deployed. We will transfer as many residents as possible from Kalkarindji today with the remainder to be flown out tomorrow.

“Access to these communities remains cut off and we are urging the public to stay away until it is declared safe. Rapid assessment teams are being deployed and further updates will be provided tomorrow.

“The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a major flood warning for the Victoria River and flood watches remain for parts of the Top End, Central and East Inland and Carpentaria coastal catchments. This wet weather is slowly making its way through the Carpentaria and now Barkly region, with a severe thunderstorm warning issued for parts of the area. We continue to remind everyone that if it’s flooded; forget it.”     

Stay updated on rain and river conditions at www.bom.gov.au

For information about preparing for floods, visit www.securent.nt.gov.au