Thirty people stranded due to flooded roads in outback Northern Territory are expressing their anger over the lack of adequate response from emergency services.
Around 30 individuals were stranded over the weekend in the outback of Northern Territory, Australia, after flash flooding cut off access to Namatjira Drive, which is the only route leading 50 kilometers west of Alice Springs. The situation arose when the Hugh River overflowed unexpectedly, leaving the group without access to food and water during their day trip to the Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park.
Among the stranded were a mix of local residents, international tourists, and a pregnant woman who faced significant hardships due to the flooding. Despite numerous calls made to emergency services for assistance, response efforts were reportedly minimal. This unfortunate incident highlighted the challenges of emergency preparedness and response in remote areas, where access to rescue services can be complicated by geographical constraints.
Charz and Rory Kearns, Alice Springs residents with extensive experience in navigating the region, felt the situation was dire enough that they risked their lives by wading through floodwaters to alert the Northern Territory Police. Their decision sheds light on the potential risks faced by those stranded, reinforcing concerns about the preparedness of local emergency services to handle sudden natural disasters in such remote locations.
