Flooding Cuts Off Vital Services to Remote NT Homelands
Hundreds of residents in remote East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory have been left isolated and without access to essential services after recent flooding cut off roads and airstrips.
The disruption follows heavy rainfall from a tropical low that passed near the East Arnhem coast about a week ago, severely affecting the delivery of food, fuel, and medical supplies to around 500 Yolŋu people living on traditional lands.
Laynhapuy Homelands Corporation (LHC), which represents 27 homelands in the region, said up to eight communities were facing critical conditions. Bäniyala, located about 200km south of Nhulunbuy and home to 138 residents, is currently in the most urgent need.
LHC chief executive Glenda Abraham warned that Bäniyala could run out of fuel within a week. With the community dependent on fuel-powered generators for electricity, this threatens food storage, communication systems like Starlink, and essential medical equipment.
“It may take up to three weeks for roads to dry out and for us to secure permits to deliver fuel,” Ms Abraham said.
Food deliveries to many communities have not arrived since mid-April. LHC has hired a third-party aviation company to help deliver supplies, but unsafe landing conditions due to damaged airstrips have limited access.
“We’ve had a sharp drop in landings. Runways are washed out and filled with potholes—planes simply can’t land safely,” Ms Abraham explained.
LHC chair Yananymul Munungurr added that some residents have taken risks by attempting to drive through floodwaters to access food and other necessities.
“If someone has an accident, there’s no help available. This is what many families are facing,” she said.
“Our people are hungry, we need fuel and healthcare. Roads must be maintained better—air and sea access can’t always be the answer.”
She called on the government to provide urgent support during this crisis. The Northern Territory government has been contacted for comment.
