Early start to wet season

An aerial photograph of the waterfalls in Kakadu National Park following the rain. Photo credit: AAA Charters.

Record rain has fallen over the region in the last two weeks demonstrating an unseasonably early start to this year’s wet season.
Many have welcomed the early rain with a spokesperson from Kakadu National Park saying it is a fantastic time to come to Kakadu.
“The unseasonal weather continues to bring us more rain – giving us the most spectacular waterfalls we’ve seen in years”.
“We’ve had more than 150mm of rain in the past fortnight. The Bureau of Meteorology have reported we have smashed the highest total monthly rainfall of 81mm set in 1984. We’ve had more than the total amount of rainfall received in September, October and November combined for 2015 (61.2 mm).”
In Jabiru on Sunday, September 18 a record 108mm fell in 24 hours with parts of the Park subsequently closed by rangers due to accessibility and safety concerns.
NT Police and the NT Department of Infrastructure also had to temporarily close Cahills Crossing with the river up to 2 metres high and the Magela Creek over 0.5m.
Cahills has now dropped down again and is accessible via high clearance 4WD and Magela Creek is open to all traffic with some water over the road.
“Unfortunately the waters are so high and with more rain on its way, we’ve had no choice but to close Maguk, Gunlom, Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls and Jarrangbarmi (Koolpin Gorge),” the spokesperson said.
Though the rain stopped access into Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls, many people took advantage of the wet with lucky visitors to Kakadu National Park able to see the magic of the waterfalls via a special scenic flight.
“Heavy rain and flash flooding may mean you can’t physically walk around some of our sites – such as Jim Jim and Twin Falls and Gunlom – but from the air you can take in this once-in-a-generation experience.”
Rangers continue to monitor the excessive rain daily in a bid to reopen sites and all up-to-date information can be found on the Daily Road Report via the Kakadu National Park website. Locals and visitors are reminded that there is still plenty to see and do in the upcoming October school holidays.
“Rain always good for fishing, wet season hikes, flights, cruises and we’ve also got a school holiday program happening with ranger guided walks, traditional arts and crafts and other cultural experiences.”
“Plus we’ve our exciting annual Kakadu Bird Week coming up – Kakadu is home to some of the world’s most exciting bird species... join the Territory’s best known bird experts to find out more about our feathered friends.”

West Arnhem Regional Council Works Officer Darryl Roberts pictured on the road to Big Waterfall in Gunbalanya.