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Update 21: Ex-Cyclone Narelle

5:00pm Friday 27 March 2026

Tropical Cyclone Narelle impacted the Northern Territory from 21 March 2026, crossing the coast between Nhulunbuy and Numbulwar as a Category 3 system, and weakening as it crossed the Top End, passing to Joseph Bonaparte Gulf on 23 March.

The system brought damaging winds, heavy rains and renewed flood risks across the region.

Schools

All NT Government schools in Katherine are open.

A small number of schools in East Arnhem, Big Rivers remote and Top End regions remain closed with assessments being undertaken.

Students and staff safety and wellbeing remains a priority and when it is safe to do so, schools will reopen.

Wugularr School remains activated as an evacuation centre, with the Department of Education and Training supporting the Welfare Group.

School closures

RegionSchool
East Arnhem
  • Laynhapuy Homelands School
Big Rivers
  • Wugularr – operating as shelter
  • Jilkminggan
  • Mataranka – operating as shelter
Top End
  • Nganmarriyanga (Palumpa)
  • Woolianna

Boil water alerts

Boil water alerts have been lifted for Jilkminggan, Adelaide River, Numbulwar, Batchelor, Umbakumba, Angurugu, Milyakburra, Yirrkala and Gunyangara.

Boil water alerts remain in place for Daly River and Palumpa.

Media releases

Page last updated 02 April 2026

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