Aerial surveys of the Tanami and Lajamanu Roads are being conducted as part of recovery efforts for stranded motorists in the Tanami Desert region, today.
Two helicopters with two Intensive Care paramedics and two police officers on board will survey the impacted area after yesterdays’ aerial survey identified a number of vehicles bogged sporadically along the 200 kilometer stretch of Lajamanu Road all the way back to the Lajamanu community.
Commander Southern Command, Bradley Currie said the aerial search aimed to verify unconfirmed reports of people self-evacuating and to check on the welfare of anyone found displaced in the process.
“Our challenge today is to establish what vehicles are occupied and what vehicles are abandoned and where those occupants are,” said Commander Currie
“We know there was a group of displaced people waiting for flood waters to recede at Suplejack creek, however overnight we received unconfirmed reports that they have self evacuated.”
“Those in the helicopters will go out and check the welfare of those people stranded and assess if there are any immediate requirements such as food, water or medical.
“We urge community members who have friends or family or know of people travelling in the area and have failed to reach their destination, to report their concern to police by calling 131 444.”
A fixed wing aircraft with a civil officer from the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics and two NTES observers onboard will look for any additional stranded people and assess the roads conditions and closures.
“While our efforts are focused on the Tanami and Lajamanu Roads, we have turned our attention towards the east and south east of Alice Springs where we know there has been considerable heavy rainfall and therefore predict a number of roads affected.
“The following road closures to the east and south east are currently in place:
- Plenty Highway
- Sandover Highway
- Maryvale Road
- Santa Teresa Road
- And access roads off these community roads.
“We stress to all motorists or those planning to travel in these areas, please check the www.roadreport.nt.gov.au prior to any travel on the unsealed road network,” said Commander Currie
