The federal government has opened the Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) Field Hospital in East Katherine as the region continues to grapple with severe flooding caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
The field hospital will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing emergency and essential healthcare while normal hospital services remain disrupted, the government said on Monday.
"The AUSMA Field Hospital in East Katherine will ensure essential and emergency healthcare can continue to be provided during this time," Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said.
The facility includes a 20-bed emergency department and primary health service with acute care and resuscitation capabilities, as well as a one-bed maternity delivery suite for urgent births.
It is also equipped with an on-site medical laboratory and radiology services, including portable imaging. Up to 25 clinical and support staff will run the facility to ensure continuous service delivery.
A further 20-bed inpatient unit, supporting both adult and paediatric patients, is set to open by Monday night, 23 March, according to the government.
"This AUSMAT deployment ensures the Katherine community continues to receive high-quality, accessible health care while the region responds to flooding and cyclone impacts," Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said.
AUSMAT personnel may remain deployed in Katherine for up to 28 days to support the community through the recovery.
Senator McCarthy said communities across the Northern Territory were enduring a difficult wet season, with cyclones and flooding affecting parts of the Top End, Big Rivers, Barkly and Alice Springs regions.
"Communities like Numbulwar, Naiyu, Jilkminggan and Palumpa remain relocated, and homelands and outstations in the Nhulunbuy region have also been evacuated," she said.
"The clean-up is continuing in Katherine and nearby communities, and now residents are preparing for more flooding from Ex-Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle."
#FloodWatches and #Warnings are current for large parts of northern and central #Australia due to recent rain.
Further flooding is forecast as ex-Tropical #CycloneNarelle moves over the #TopEnd and the #Kimberley in the coming days.
Latest: https://t.co/jlOoTZL1iF pic.twitter.com/b3aU4s6nEt
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) March 22, 2026
Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour said it had been an "extremely challenging time for the Katherine community, and I know the last few weeks have felt relentless".
"This Field Hospital will be an important step in ensuring there is an appropriate level of healthcare and service throughout this emergency," she said.
Narelle, now downgraded to a tropical low, is expected to continue impacting the already saturated region today. The tropical low tracked past Katherine overnight, impacting a major Northern Territory town already struck by widespread flooding from a previous storm.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the weather system would lead to rising water levels across the region, particularly in Katherine, where the clean-up from floods a fortnight earlier is only just winding down.
"The ground is saturated, our rivers already full and any additional rainfall is going to make a significant impact," she said.
The Bureau of Meteorology says river levels at Katherine Bridge could exceed the minor flood level of 16 metres, with the potential to reach the major flood level of 17.5 metres on Tuesday, according to the ABC.
"While initial reports off the back of Ex-Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle are promising," Ms McBain said.
"This is still a developing emergency and people need to stay prepared for the potential of significant flooding by listening to the warnings and advice of emergency services."
With AAP
