Flooding intensifies in northern territory: cyclone narrelle compounds existing crisis

The Northern Territory is grappling with a deepening crisis as Tropical Cyclone Narrelle brings yet more rain to an already saturated region, exacerbating the effects of a relentless wet season. The storm follows a string of high-risk weather events, raising serious questions about disaster preparedness and the long-term impacts of climate change on Indigenous communities.

Residents report abandonment amidst rising waters

Cilia Lake, a Mangarayi traditional owner and evacuee, described a sense of abandonment by the Northern Territory government, stating that support for her community during the recent floods was inadequate. “The other times when we are evacuated, it’s only for a day or two, and there is usually a bed and a box of toiletries at an evacuation centre for us. But this time there was nothing,” she said. The situation in Jilkminggan, 146km southeast of Katherine, exemplifies this, with residents forced to set up temporary shelters on veranda after being moved from a crowded community hall.

The current deluge from Cyclone Narrelle is expected to dump up to 300mm of rain across the NT on Sunday, following an unprecedented wet season that has seen thousands evacuated since January. The Katherine River is overflowing, and Katherine hospital experienced evacuations. The situation echoes previous devastating floods, including the 1998 event which led to prohibitive insurance costs for many.

While the federal government has announced an additional disaster recovery payment, the Northern Land Council chair, Matthew Ryan, highlighted inconsistencies in support provided to remote communities. He criticizes the allocation of resources, pointing out billions spent on fossil fuel projects like fracking in the Beetaloo Basin, while funding for emergency response and shelters remains insufficient. “We want to see better coordination of the emergency response and more shelters built,” Ryan stated. He also stressed the need to incorporate Indigenous people into emergency management plans.

The Environment Centre NT's Dr. Kirsty Howey directly links the escalating disasters to the continued investment in fossil fuels.