Darwin: Tropical Cyclone Fina left a trail of damage across Australia’s Northern Territory on Sunday after crossing near Darwin with destructive winds and heavy rain, forcing the closure of Darwin International Airport and cutting power to several communities.

Authorities said the cyclone, which made landfall as a category three system, brought winds of more than 200 kilometres per hour. Large trees were uprooted, roofs were damaged and electricity lines were brought down across the city and surrounding areas. Early assessments showed significant damage, but no serious injuries were reported.

After passing the coast, the system began moving west over the Timor Sea. Weather officials said Fina could strengthen further over warm waters and may reach category four intensity as it tracks toward the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf.

Rainfall remained a major concern. Some parts of the Top End recorded more than 400 millimetres of rain in just 24 hours, leading to flooding in low lying areas. Emergency crews responded to calls from residents trapped by fallen trees and debris, while roads in several suburbs were blocked.

At the Royal Darwin Hospital, a section of the ceiling reportedly collapsed during the height of the storm, though no one was injured. Power outages were widespread across Darwin and the Tiwi Islands, and repair teams were waiting for conditions to improve before restarting restoration work.

Darwin International Airport will remain closed until safety checks on runways and facilities are complete. Port operations also slowed, with authorities preparing for large waves and strong coastal winds.

Residents were asked to stay indoors and avoid travelling until emergency teams cleared major roads and confirmed that fallen power lines were safe. Officials said assessments would continue through the day to determine the full extent of the damage.

Cyclone Fina’s strength so early in the cyclone season has surprised many residents and brought back memories of past storms that hit the region.

Authorities said they were closely monitoring the cyclone’s westward movement and warned coastal communities to remain alert in the coming days.