Tropical Cyclone Niran has reached category 2 and is expected to intensify further, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

The slow-moving system is hovering off the north Queensland coast and the watch zone extends from Cape Melville to Lucinda.

While landfall is not expected, coastal and island communities could still be hit by gales and flooding, the bureau warns.

“Gales with gusts to 100kph may develop about coastal and island communities between Cape Flattery and Mission Beach tonight or during Wednesday morning,” it says.

“Gales may extend further south to Lucinda or between Cape Melville and Cape Flattery on Wednesday night, as the cyclone intensifies or if it drifts closer to the coast.

“Localised heavy rainfall may occur about the coastal and island communities due to the moist onshore flow. Heavier falls may occur on Wednesday as the cyclone intensifies or if it tracks slightly closer to the coast.

“A flood watch and several flood warnings remain current for the north tropical coast between Cooktown and Rollingstone.”

Local media has reported wind and rain damage in some areas already, with tens of thousands left without power and banana plantations flattened.