While the Bureau of Meteorology has maintained its warning for people living between Cape Flattery and Innisfail it now expected the slow-moving Niran to travel south-east and away from the coast.

The category two cyclone was on Thursday sitting 335km northeast of Cairns and 315km east northeast of Cooktown with winds of 110 km/h at the centre creating gusts of 155 km/h.

“The tropical cyclone will adopt a southeasterly track during today and accelerate further away from the coast,” the bureau said.

It’s expected to reach peak intensity over the Coral Sea on Friday before gradually weakening as it moves further southeastwards.

The cyclone has already caused major damage in the far north where multiple banana crops have been wiped out by gale-force winds.

The Australian Banana Growers’ Council says while it’s too early to estimate the cost of damage, it’s clear the bill will be significant for growers around Innisfail and most of the Cassowary Coast region.

“It’s another bitter blow to growers who have suffered enormously with consecutive years of low prices and more recently critical worker shortages due to COVID,” council chair Stephen Lowe said on Wednesday.

SES teams earlier this week had to deal with damaged roofs and downed trees and there were reports of minor structural damage to sheds and outbuildings in the Cairns area.