Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Australia

Flood Watch For Parts Of The Top End
Issued at 10:55 AM ACST on Friday 20 March 2026
Flood Watch Number: 2
ADDITIONAL AREAS OF MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS PARTS OF THE TOP END FROM SUNDAY

Catchments likely to be affected include:
East Kimberley Rivers
Victoria River below Kalkarindji
Fitzmaurice River
Moyle River
Katherine River
Daly River above Douglas River
Lower Daly River
Finniss River
Tiwi Islands
Upper Adelaide River
Adelaide River below Adelaide River Town
Mary River
Wildman River
South Alligator River
East Alligator River
Goomadeer River
Liverpool River
Blyth River
Goyder River
Buckingham River
Koolatong River
Walker River
Waterhouse River
Roper River
Groote Eylandt

Major flood warnings are current for the following catchment(s) : Katherine, Lower Daly and Waterhouse. A tropical cyclone advice is current for parts of the NT.

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood

Flood Safety Advice:
Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.securent.nt.gov.au.}
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.

Next issue:
The next Flood Watch will be issued by 01:00 PM ACST on Saturday 21 March 2026.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Major Flood Warning For The Daly River
Issued at 10:42 AM ACST on Friday 20 March 2026
Flood Warning Number: 27

PROLONGED MAJOR FLOODING EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AT DALY POLICE STATION
Significant major flooding is occurring along the Daly River at the Daly River Police Station, where river levels peaked at 16.42 m during Sunday morning which was above the 1998 flood level (16.25 m).
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is forecast to bring widespread heavy to locally intense rainfall over parts of Daly river catchment in the next few days.
The river level is expected to remain above the major flood level for the remainder of the week and into next week. Renewed rises are possible from Sunday with forecast rainfall.
A Flood Watch is current for parts of Top End including Daly River catchment. A tropical cyclone advise is also current for parts of NT.

Lower Daly River:
Prolonged major flooding is continuing along the Daly River at Daly Police Station.
The Daly River at Daly River Police Station is currently at 15.14 m and falling slowly, with major flooding.
The Daly River at Daly River Police Station is expected to remain above the major flood level (14.00 m) for the remainder of the week and into next week. Renewed river level rises are possible from Sunday, with forecast rainfall.

Flood Safety Advice:
Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.securent.nt.gov.au.}
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.

Next issue:
The next warning will be issued by 11:30 AM ACST on Saturday 21 March 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Daly River at Dorisvale Crossing,20.13,steady,9:30 am Fri 20/03/26
Douglas River at Douglas Crossing,6.01,rising,10:30 am Fri 20/03/26
Daly River at Mount Nancar,18.16,steady,9:45 am Fri 20/03/26
Daly River at Daly River Police Station,15.14,falling,9:45 am Fri 20/03/26

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.