Australian troops to help flood-hit Northern Territory

March 15, 2026

Sydney: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Sunday that military troops will be deployed to assist communities affected by severe flooding in the Northern Territory.

The government has approved support from the Australian Defence Force to help recovery efforts in areas around Katherine, located about 270 km southeast of the territory’s capital Darwin.

Severe flooding hits several communities

Flooding has affected parts of the Northern Territory since early March. According to reports by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Katherine is experiencing its worst flooding in nearly three decades, forcing evacuations in several nearby remote communities.

Homes along the Darwin River were inundated and rural properties suffered heavy damage. The rising water level of the Daly River has also reached a record high.

 Two tourists killed in Queensland floods

While no deaths have been reported in the Northern Territory flooding so far, two international tourists died in separate flood-related incidents in Queensland.

The victims, a 26-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, were travelling about 250 km from Brisbane to the North Burnett Region when they failed to reach their destination due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

An emergency search operation involving the Queensland Police Service, helicopters and the State Emergency Service located their vehicle in floodwaters near Kilkivan, about 175 km northwest of Brisbane. Police later confirmed that two bodies were found inside the car.