Emergency services rescue 29 people stranded in flooded waterways

COPS and paramedics continue to search the flooded roads of the Tanami Desert for anyone who may have been stranded.

Cops and emergency service workers search for those stranded in the flooded Tanami Desert. Picture: NT Police

• Search underway for two stranded people, 18 others rescued from flooded desert
• Ex-tropical cyclone Esther unleashes on Central Australia
• Severe weather warning as ex-Cyclone Esther returns to drench Central Australia

COPS and paramedics have rescued 29 people stranded in the flooded Tanami Desert after completing aerial searches of the Lajamanu and Tanami Rd.

The group was among the 40 reports police received of motorists stranded along the 200km stretch of the flooded Lajamanu Rd.

Cops and emergency service workers search for those stranded in the flooded Tanami Desert. Picture: NT Police

Cops located 11 cars and 18 people at the Suplejack Creek intersection, and a further 11 people were returned from the Tanami Mine Camp to the Yuendumu community.

Commander Southern Command, Bradley Currie said a thorough search of the area flooded by ex-tropical cyclone Esther had been completed.

“The co-ordinated response within the Emergency Operation Centre has resulted in the swift repatriation of those stranded, back to their respective communities,” he said.

He avid while the weather event had passed it did not mean the roads were open.

“We advise anyone planning to travel to ensure they check road conditions and closures prior to travel via www.roadreport.nt.gov.au and not to drive through flooded causeways or rivers,” he said.

Tanami Rd is only accessible to high clearance four wheel drives under 4.5 tonnes.

The following road closures to the east and south east are currently in place:

• Plenty Highway
• Sandover Highway
• Maryvale Road
• Santa Teresa Road
• Access roads off these community roads.

Motorists travelling in Central Australia are asked to check road access reports at www.roadreport.nt.gov.au