Authorities in Northern Territory have warned residents to avoid floodwaters after severe flooding and the presence of crocodiles forced mass evacuations and widespread disruptions across the region.

Police said on Sunday that more than a thousand people had been moved to shelters following heavy rainfall that triggered the worst flooding in the town of Katherine since 1998.

Officials cautioned that dangerous wildlife, including crocodiles, had been displaced by the rising waters and posed a serious risk.

“There are crocs absolutely everywhere. Please don’t go in the water,” acting police incident commander Shaun Gill told reporters. “The message is quite clear.”

He emphasized that floodwaters were fast-moving and unsafe for swimming, warning that crocodiles were highly active in the area.

Police reported that helicopters and aircraft were deployed to remote communities as more than 1,000 residents were evacuated.

At least 90 homes lost power, and emergency services continued to assess damage and provide assistance to affected families.

Assistant police commissioner Travis Wurst urged residents not to take risks.

“Don’t do something silly and jump in the water,” he said, adding that crocodiles and other hazards made the conditions extremely dangerous.

Authorities confirmed that several schools would remain closed into Monday due to the flooding.

Katherine, a key regional town in northern Australia, experienced widespread inundation as rivers overflowed after days of heavy rain.

Local infrastructure was damaged, and some roads became impassable, complicating rescue and relief operations.

Officials said emergency services were prioritizing vulnerable residents and monitoring water levels for further risks.

Northern Australia is home to a large population of saltwater and freshwater crocodiles, estimated at more than 100,000 animals.

Floods often displace wildlife, increasing the likelihood of encounters with humans.

Authorities reiterated that floodwaters should be treated as hazardous and avoided at all times.

Researchers note that extreme weather events in Australia have become more frequent and intense, a trend linked by many scientists to climate change.

Floods, bushfires, and cyclones have placed growing pressure on communities and infrastructure across the country.

Officials said emergency operations would continue in the Northern Territory as the region recovers from the latest disaster. aust