Major flooding across the Big Rivers and Top End region has caused extensive disruption to Power and Water services in Katherine and several remote communities.
As of 12pm on Sunday, 8 March 2026, approximately 1000 Katherine properties are without power and 450 without sewerage, due to our infrastructure being inundated by water. NT Health has issued a boil water alert.
Our crews continue to do everything they can to keep as many people connected to essential services as possible, including using helicopters and boats to try to access infrastructure and re-energise critical assets.
We are also carrying out desktop assessments of potential damage and developing a comprehensive restoration plan. Once floodwaters drop significantly, which could take several days, we will be able to better access our infrastructure to complete a full assessment, plan restoration in the most safe and efficient way, and get to work to fully restore services.
Restoration begins with large and critical infrastructure repaired first, followed by smaller infrastructure, then individual homes. This means the largest number of people are safely reconnected in the shortest time possible.
Before flooded properties can be reconnected to power, owners will need to provide a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) issued by a Northern Territory licensed electrician. In preparation for sewerage systems coming back online, people should ensure their Overflow Relief Gully (ORG) is clear, to prevent sewage coming back up through their plumbing system.
Essential services have also been disrupted in the remote communities of Nganmarriyanga, Nama, Jilkminggan and Nauiyu. Residents were evacuated or have self-evacuated from these communities due to the effects of rising floodwaters. Flooding has affected low-lying areas in Wugularr, and power has been isolated to some properties. We are investigating water service interruptions in Binjari.
We remind people to stay away from our infrastructure for their own safety, and thank residents across these communities for their understanding and patience during this evolving emergency response.
For more information, visit:
· Outages: https://www.powerwater.com.au/outages
· Restoration process: https://www.powerwater.com.au/outages/safety-and-emergencies/how-we-respond
· CoCs: https://www.powerwater.com.au/customers/power/certificate-of-compliance
· ORGs: https://www.powerwater.com.au/about/what-we-do/wastewater/overflow-relief-gullies
Image: Power and Water infrastructure under water.
Media contact: 0401 117 599 / media@powerwater.com.au
