Crocodile bites teenager as army is sent to assist in rural areas

• People should be “croc smart” due to flooding.
• As crocodiles have been forced out of inundated rivers by severe rain.
• The Australian Defense Force is in the area assisting with the evacuation of residents.

In a remote Australian hamlet affected by floods, a teenager was bitten by a crocodile (NT). The 17-year-old youngster received treatment at a nearby facility for a “small laceration to his leg,” according to the authorities.

People should be “croc smart,” local government minister Chansey Paech warned media, as crocodiles have been forced out of inundated rivers by severe rain.

The Australian Defense Force is in the area assisting with the evacuation of residents.

According to Mr. Paech, the Victoria River breached its banks in Kalkarindji, about 770km (478 miles) south of Darwin, and roughly 700 people, including 35 with medical requirements, were flown out.

“Defense Australia has given us three big planes – two C130s and one C27 – and they’re working to fly evacuees to Katherine,” he tweeted, referring to a town in the NT.

Heavy floods, according to a spokeswoman for Mr. Paech, increase the danger of encountering crocodiles.

“When the river bursts its banks, they’re everywhere”, she told the media.

According to officials, those who were evacuated will reside in Howard Springs, a former Covid quarantine facility, and kids will be able to attend nearby schools.

This week, the upper Victoria River reached severe flood levels, prompting the territory to declare an emergency in four isolated regions.

Emergency Controller Daniel Bacon warned people to avoid a number of isolated areas since the roads there were still shut off.

“We continue to remind everyone that if it’s flooded; forget it.”

The Victoria River, according to the Department of Meteorology, had risen to a height of 14 meters in Kalkarindji but was now falling.

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