Flood forces evacuation of NT town

A 28-year-old man is missing in floodwaters in the Northern Territory as a major flood forces the evacuation of an entire community.

There is still no sign of the man who went missing at Peppimenarti, in the Daly River region, on Friday.

An evacuation order was issued for Daly River on Saturday and helicopter crews have begun winching residents to safety.

NT Emergency Services regional commander Bruce Porter said more than 400 people would be airlifted to Batchelor and driven by bus to Darwin.

Mr Porter said evacuees would be accommodated at the Royal Darwin Showgrounds.

"Unfortunately the whole community cannot be evacuated today," Mr Porter said.

"Those who remain are staying on higher ground tonight and the evacuation will be completed tomorrow."

A minor flood warning continues for the Katherine River at Gorge Road, as a tropical low belts a catchment area with heavy rains.

A cyclone watch remains in place for the area extending from Point Roper to the Queensland border.

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