Thousands of Australians without power after tropical cyclone hits N.T

23/11/2025 17:10

Thousands of people in Australia's Northern Territory were without power on Sunday after a tropical cyclone brought destructive winds to the region, including capital Darwin, overnight.



Fina, a category three cyclone, was on Sunday clocking wind gusts of up to 205 kph as it moved away from Darwin after passing the city late on Saturday as a "severe tropical cyclone", the nation's Bureau of Meteorology said.



For residents of Darwin, population of around 140,000, Fina conjured painful memories of Cyclone Tracy, which wiped out much of the city on Christmas Day 1974, killing 66 people, in what was one of Australia's worst natural disasters.



Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said about 19,000 people had lost power due to Fina, which had also caused property damage and submerged roads, but resulted in no injuries to residents.



"This cyclone saw a territory that was united and prepared for what was to come," Finocchiaro said in a media conference televised from Darwin.



Authorities urged residents of Darwin, a northern garrison city, to stay clear of downed power lines, as crews started damage assessments.