Australia Weather News

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle has left the Northern Territory after bringing rainfalls of more than 200 millimetres to parts of the Top End overnight, with Katherine still at risk of further flooding in the coming hours.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is now predicting the Katherine River will peak above the minor flood level but below the major flood level at Katherine Bridge this evening.

NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the system — which has been downgraded to a tropical low after it crossed the NT coast over the weekend — "moved a lot quicker" and caused less damage than expected.

BOM spokeswoman Jude Scott said the low-pressure system was moving towards the Kimberley after dumping 202mm of rain on Adelaide River, where the water receded below the major flood level today.

Four residents self-evacuated after floodwater inundated their homes and cut the township's access to drinking water and electricity.

A boil water alert was expected to be issued once the supply was restored today.

Meanwhile, Ms Scott said "prolonged major flooding" continued at Nauiyu / Daly River, where the river height is expected to remain above the major level for the next week.

"In terms of what to expect from the weather, from today we're back to more typical wet season conditions with a chance of showers and storms across the Top End," she said.

"The severe weather warning for the western part of the Top End will start to contract during today as the weather moves west and eases across the Top End."

Weather event 'not over yet'

Emergency flood warnings remained in place today for the Katherine River, Adelaide River, Waterhouse River and Daly River.

NT Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Andrew Wharton said that meant "the risks for anyone near any of these river systems remain current".

"People and animals could become displaced, property could be damaged, fast-flowing water could present a number of hazards, including — in the Northern Territory — the hazards of crocodiles," he said.

"Floodwaters may also contain wastes, chemicals or other dangerous substances, so if you're in those areas for those flood warnings, please stay vigilant, please stay alert and please stay informed."

Commissioner Wharton said the heavy rain meant there was also still the "potential for flash flooding right across the entirety of the Top End".

NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole said Adelaide River remained "a key area of concern" with floodwater closing sections of the Stuart Highway.

Commissioner Dole urges motorists to "exercise extreme caution" and not risk their own lives and those of emergency services personnel by entering floodwater.

"This event is not over yet," he said.

"While conditions in some areas are easing, we are still closely monitoring river systems across the Northern Territory.

"In Katherine, we are watching the river levels very closely — while we remain hopeful that major flooding will not eventuate, we are fully prepared."

Commissioner Dole said authorities had now begun planning for recovery, even while emergency management arrangements remained in place, including a field hospital in Katherine East.

"Across the Big Rivers region, an emergency declaration remains in effect and agencies are continuing to coordinate a whole of government response," he said.