NT residents warned to avoid floodwaters as crocodiles spotted during evacuations

Residents in the Northern Territory have been warned to stay out of floodwaters after crocodiles were reported moving into flooded areas. Hundreds were evacuated over the weekend, and the entire town of Nauiyu/Daly River was emptied by Sunday afternoon. The Katherine River peaked at 19.2 metres late on Saturday — the highest level since the 1998 floods — and the Daly River is still rising and expected to exceed 1957 levels of 15.3 metres this week.

About 1,000 people are sheltering following evacuations from Nganmarriyanga (formerly Palumpa), Nauiyu, Katherine and Jilkminggan, with six aircraft and 18 helicopters used in rescues. Eighty people who could not leave on Saturday were taken to higher ground overnight and helicoptered out on Sunday morning.

Federal and territory governments activated assistance payments for the Katherine area, capped at $1,537 per family, plus a re-establishment fund of up to $8,847 for eligible households.

Australia, Northern Territory

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