Darwin warned cyclone will strike Saturday – as it happened

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Government urging those in Fina's path to stay up-to-date and heed warnings

Kristy McBain, the federal minister for emergency management, said officials are urging people to prioritise their safety" and heed cyclone warnings and advice.

We've been working really closely with the Northern Territory government on the pre-deployment of assets, but it is really important that people listen to those warnings and they'll be continually updated. ... But these things are a little bit unpredictable at this stage. So we're just asking people to be aware.

Fina is forecast to further intensify to a severe tropical cyclone during Sunday afternoon in the southern Timor Sea. There continues to remain a chance that it could reach category 3 intensity earlier, during late Friday or early Saturday as it moves into the Van Diemen Gulf.