Authorities in Australia’s Northern Territory have urged residents to brace for destructive winds and possible flooding as Tropical Cyclone Fina moves toward the region, bringing what officials describe as a “serious” threat to communities, including the capital, Darwin.
The Bureau of Meteorology said on Saturday that Fina, a Category 3 cyclone with wind gusts reaching 165 kilometres per hour (102 mph), was positioned in the Van Diemen Gulf and tracking toward the Tiwi Islands and Cape Hotham.
The storm is expected to make its closest approach to Darwin on Saturday evening as a “severe tropical cyclone,” though it is not currently forecast to make landfall.
“By Saturday evening, it is expected to make its closest approach towards Darwin. And this is where we could see the worst of the wind and also the rain across the city,” the bureau said, urging residents to secure boats, outdoor items, and property as part of immediate preparations.
Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore warned that Cyclone Fina would maintain its strength while remaining over water, producing “widespread heavy rainfall and damaging-to-locally destructive winds” across the region. Darwin, home to about 140,000 people, is already experiencing rising winds and rain.
Kirsten Engels, incident controller at the Northern Territory Emergency Operations Centre, said emergency crews were ready but emphasised the seriousness of the situation.
“We are prepared, but the situation is serious. We’re seeing the winds and rain pick up in Darwin and the Tiwi Islands already,” she told ABC News. Residents were advised to activate household emergency plans and move to public shelters if necessary.
The warning has stirred memories of Cyclone Tracy, the catastrophic 1974 storm that flattened much of Darwin on Christmas Day, killed 71 people, and triggered Australia’s largest peacetime evacuation.
More than 35,000 of the city’s then-47,000 residents were relocated for months during the massive recovery effort.
Authorities stressed that while Fina is not expected to be another Tracy, residents should not underestimate the risks and should follow official guidance as the cyclone nears its peak impact.
Source: AL JAZEERA
Written By Rodney Mbua
