SYDNEY, Nov 21 (Bernama-dpa) -- A tropical cyclone is heading towards northern Australia, with the country's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warning that it could intensify to a Category 3 storm by Saturday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
Cyclone Fina is currently a Category 1 system, the BoM said on Friday, but may bring sustained winds of 165 to 224 kilometres per hour (km/h) as it nears Australia's Northern Territory.
Heavy rain, strong winds and potential flooding are expected in and around Darwin.
Some schools in remote communities have been closed as a precaution, local authorities said.
Charles Darwin University suspended operations, while a number of sporting events were cancelled and several ferry services were halted. Schools in Darwin remain open for now.
Emergency services urged residents to take the threat seriously and prepare their homes.
"Don't panic," incident controller Kirsten Engels told ABC Radio Darwin. "We want people to be ready, really take this seriously now, this system may bring gales and destructive winds and intense rainfall," she added.
Fina is forecast to move out of the region on Sunday evening.
--BERNAMA-dpa
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