Darwin [Australia], November 24: Residents of Australia's Northern Territory have been clearing streets after a damaging tropical cyclone that brought intense winds overnight, tearing up trees and traffic lights and cutting power.
Tropical Cyclone Fina loomed off the coast of the Northern Territory for several days before rapidly strengthening to a Category 3 storm.
It swept through on Saturday night between the busy city of Darwin and the sparsely populated Tiwi Islands - an archipelago about 80km (50 miles) off the coast - where wind gusts reached 110km (70 miles) per hour.
The "very destructive core" of the cyclone has moved away from the Northern Territory, but heavy rain and winds will persist on Sunday, Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Angus Hines said.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said about 19,000 homes and businesses had lost power in the past 24 hours, and efforts were being made to restore it. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune
