Cyclone Fina is expected to pass just north of Darwin, bringing heavy rain and gale-force winds. Photo: HANDOUT/BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY

Top End residents have been urged not to panic but to hunker down in their homes as tropical cyclone Fina approaches and emergency shelters open.

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The strengthened category-three system is bringing destructive wind gusts to remote communities in the region after passing over the Cobourg Peninsula overnight into the Van Diemen Gulf.

On Saturday, forecasters expect it to track just north of Darwin, which is expected to cop destructive and damaging winds

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