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CYCLONE Monica has weakened to a tropical low over the Northern Territory, but is forecast to move back to sea and intensify again before menacing Western Australia. Monica was packing winds of up to 350kph near its core when it last night touched down at Maningrida, in the Territory's far north. However, the category five cyclone significantly weakened once it made landfall and travelled further south and inland than predicted, after fears it would be one of the severest storms to hit Australia. While the clean-up in Maningrida has started, Darwin emerged relatively unscathed today after preparing for the worst....

CYCLONE Monica has forced the cancellation of Darwin's Anzac Day dawn service and march. The maximum strength, category five cyclone is about 550km east, north-east of Darwin and should reach Arnhem Land's west coast later today. Monica, which has winds of up to 350km/h at its core, is expected to reach Darwin and the Tiwi Islands by tomorrow. The cyclone has prompted the Darwin RSL to announce tomorrow's Anzac Day dawn service will be cancelled along with the 10am (AEST) march through Darwin's main streets. Darwin RSL manager Mussy Shaw today said the decision was made to protect both marchers...