Flood Watch Issued for Bonaparte, North West Coastal, and Carpentaria Coastal Rivers
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood watch for multiple river catchments across the Northern Territory and Western Australia due to a monsoon trough and tropical lows.
Alert Details
The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued Flood Watch Number 5 for parts of the Bonaparte, North West Coastal, and Carpentaria Coastal River catchments. This alert serves as early advice for possible flooding within specified regions across the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Affected Areas
The following catchments are likely to be affected by rising water levels:
- Western Australia: East Kimberley Rivers
- Northern Territory: Victoria River below Kalkarindji, Fitzmaurice River, Moyle River, Katherine River, Daly River above Douglas River, Lower Daly River, Finniss River, Walker River, Waterhouse River, Roper River, Towns River, Limmen Bight River, Rosie River, and McArthur River.
A separate flood warning is currently in effect for the Upper Victoria catchment.
What You Should Do
Residents and travelers in the affected areas are advised to take the following precautions:
- Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater as it is dangerous.
- Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and other waterways.
- Obey all road closure signs and plan travel ahead to avoid flooded routes.
- Check road conditions before traveling, as roads may become impassable and communities may become isolated.
- For emergency assistance, contact the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening situations, call 000 immediately.
Expected Conditions
A monsoon trough extending from a weak tropical low (30U) over Kimberley to another tropical low (31U) in the Gulf of Carpentaria is driving the weather pattern. Frequent showers and thunderstorms are expected, with isolated heavy falls possible. Because catchments are already wet from recent rainfall, additional precipitation may cause significant water level rises in rivers and creeks, alongside prolonged overland flooding and ponding.
Timeline
The alert was issued at 11:36 am ACST on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Heavy falls associated with tropical low 31U are expected to remain near the southern Top End coastal areas for the next few days before moving westward later in the week. The next update from the Bureau of Meteorology is scheduled to be issued by 1:00 PM ACST on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Source: BOM Official Notice