Police in Australia’s remote Northern Territory have warned there are crocodiles “everywhere” after torrential rain caused rivers to break their banks and flood vast areas.
The swollen rivers and extensive flooding mean that crocodiles are on the move, presenting a greater threat than usual to humans.
The Northern Territory is home to two species of crocodile – freshwater crocodiles, which rarely grow longer than 10ft (three metres), and the much larger, more aggressive saltwater crocodiles, which can grow up to 23ft (seven metres) long and weigh up to 2,600lb (1,200 kg).
“There’s crocs absolutely everywhere. Please don’t go in the water. The message is quite clear,” said Shaun Gill, the acting commander of Northern Territory police.
Residents have been warned to keep away from rivers and flooded areas as the Northern Territory endures some of the most severe flooding in decades.
“Don’t swim in the water for two reasons: it’s a fast-flowing river, and also, this is where crocs are most active,” he said.
“We’ve had independent reports of people swimming in rivers. My message is quite clear – please do not do that.”
The Northern Territory has been hit by torrential rain in recent days, with the Outback town of Katherine experiencing its most severe flooding for nearly 30 years.
Travis Wurst, assistant police commissioner, warned the inhabitants of Katherine not to “do something silly” like jumping in the water. With characteristic Australian understatement, he said the presence of large crocodiles “will make your life difficult”.
A local man and his teenage son who were driving near Katherine captured video footage of a crocodile running across the road.
The sparsely populated Northern Territory, nicknamed “the Top End”, is home to an estimated 100,000 saltwater and freshwater crocodiles.
Police have relocated more than 1,000 people, using planes and helicopters to reach remote areas.
The town of Daly River has been evacuated, with residents given temporary accommodation in Darwin, the regional capital.
Lia Finocchiaro, the chief minister of the Northern Territory, said a “massive evacuation effort” was underway. Schools have been closed and homes and businesses are without electricity.
“We’ve seen significant resources and co-ordination across government agencies to deliver multiple responses to multiple communities,” she said.
More rain is on the way, according to Australia’s bureau of meteorology.
Northern Australia has experienced one of its most intense wet seasons on record.
“Its quite overwhelming,” said Jo Hersey, a local politician and a member of the Northern Territory’s legislative assembly.
“We got evacuated this morning with the power off. Everyone in the street is underwater, our house is underwater.”
Saltwater crocodiles live along the coastline and in the rivers and swamps of the Northern Territory. “Saltwater crocodiles…can be found over 200km from the coast in fresh water. Crocodiles can also travel up to a kilometre on land, remain concealed for long periods inland, stay submerged without moving during a hunt, and run incredibly fast. Just because you can’t see them, it doesn’t mean they’re not there,” the region’s tourism commission advises.
The crocodiles were hunted almost to extinction for their hides until they were given protection in the 1970s.