Tropical Cyclone Megan made landfall on the south-western Gulf of Carpentaria coast on Monday afternoon as the Weather Bureau warned residents the system was still dangerous and was likely to cause more damage.

The category three cyclone brought strong winds of up to 200 kph to parts of the region with the township of Borroloola expected to bear the brunt of the storm.

But after making landfall, the cyclone was exited to deteriorateand eventually be downgraded.

Weather forecaster Shenagh Gamble told the ABC that residents still need to be prepared for strong winds and heavy rain.

The current cyclone warning zone extends from Port Roper in the NT to Mornington Island in Queensland.

The residents of Borroloola, who could not be evacuated on Monday because of dangerous winds, are safe, with NT Chief Minister Eva Lawler confirming cyclone safe buildings were being used to house them.

“There are enough buildings in Borroloola that are rated to withstand a category 3 cyclone to keep the community safe,: she said.

“These include the police station, the health centre and dozens of homes in the community.”

Residents have complained about the lack of food and water and one said they had been kept in the dark about a potential airlift.

“We’re all piling up here. We don’t know what’s going on,” Jack Green told the ABC.

“No-one is telling us if the plane is coming back in.”