Darwin Faces Strong Winds and Rain as Cyclone Fina Moves On

Cyclone Fina, a powerful category three storm, has left its mark on Darwin, the capital of Australia's Northern Territory. With wind gusts reaching up to 205 kilometers per hour, the cyclone brought strong winds and heavy rain to the city. Residents were reminded of the devastating Cyclone Tracy, which struck Darwin on Christmas Day in 1974, causing widespread destruction and claiming 66 lives. The Darwin International Airport closed its doors on Saturday as a precautionary measure. On Sunday, the airport announced that it was working to resume operations as soon as it was safe to do so. The airport's Facebook page warned of continuing strong winds and heavy rain, advising travelers to stay updated on the latest information. Authorities urged residents to stay away from downed power lines scattered across the city. SecureNT, the emergency agency, posted a warning on its Facebook page, emphasizing that this was not the time for sightseeing. The Power and Water Corporation began damage assessments on Sunday morning but was unable to estimate the number of people without power. Several homes and infrastructure in the region sustained damage from the cyclone, but fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. Category three tropical cyclones, like Fina, are known to cause significant damage to structures, crops, and trees, as well as power outages. This event follows closely on the heels of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, which hit neighboring Queensland in March, causing similar disruptions. As Darwin begins to recover from Cyclone Fina, residents are reminded of the importance of preparedness and the potential impact of such natural disasters. The city's resilience in the face of these challenges is a testament to its strength and unity.