Flood Watch Issued for Northern Territory and East Kimberley Rivers as Tropical Low 31U Moves West

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued Flood Watch Number 9 for parts of the Bonaparte, North West Coastal, and Carpentaria Coastal River catchments. This alert serves as an update regarding possible flooding within specified catchments across the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Affected Areas

The following catchments are likely to be affected by the current weather system:

• Western Australia: East Kimberley Rivers.
• Northern Territory: Upper Victoria River, Victoria River below Kalkarindji, Fitzmaurice River, Moyle River, Katherine River, Daly River (above and below Douglas River), Finniss River, Upper Adelaide River, Adelaide River below Adelaide River Town, Walker River, Waterhouse River, Roper River, Towns River, Limmen Bight River, Rosie River, McArthur River, Robinson River, Calvert River, and Settlement Creek.

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning areas are advised to take the following safety precautions:

• Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater, as it is extremely dangerous.
• Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and waterways.
• Obey all road closure signs and check road conditions before traveling, as roads may become impassable.
• Plan ahead to avoid driving on flooded roads and potentially becoming isolated.
• For emergency assistance, call the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.
• Monitor local media and visit www.securent.nt.gov.au for local emergency management advice.

Expected Conditions

A monsoon trough currently sits across the base of the Top End, with Tropical Low 31U located east of Katherine. The system is expected to move slowly west, bringing heavy rainfall focused to the west of the low. Because catchments are already wet from recent rainfall, additional precipitation is expected to cause rapid river level rises and significant flooding. Major flood warnings are already in effect for the Katherine River, Waterhouse River, and Daly River above Douglas River. Residents should expect prolonged overland flooding and ponding.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 11:10 am ACST on Friday, 6 March 2026. Tropical Low 31U is expected to move slowly west through Friday and Saturday. While the current watch is effective through 7 March 2026, the position of the system becomes more uncertain later this weekend and into early next week.