Two Deaths Reported In Bougainville As TC Maila Tracks South East Of PNG

Saturday, 11 April 2026, 8:05 pm
Article: RNZ

Two women are confirmed dead in Bougainville as Tropical Cyclone Maila continues to batter the region with strong winds and heavy rainfall.

NBC News in Buka received reports of the casualties and widespread destruction linked to the severe weather, as conditions continue to worsen across the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

A statement from the Office of the President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville said the severe weather conditions brought on by Cyclone Maila over the past week have significantly affected our communities across Bougainville.

Ishmael Toroama said strong winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding have caused widespread damage to homes, livelihoods, and essential services.

He said government has mobilized our response teams from the Bougainville Disaster Directorate through the Department of Community Government.

"The Disaster Directorate is actively monitoring and assessing the situation and has already commenced mobilizing relief efforts for our outer islands as well Buka and the mainland," President Toroama said.

"Our people have endured war, volcanic eruptions, and cyclones far greater than this. We are resilient, and we will overcome this challenge together," he said.

Bougainville's National MPs have announced a US$1.16 million (5 PNG Kina million) emergency response following widespread damage caused by Cyclone Maila, for affected communities and damaged key infrastructure.

Weather update on Maila

Tropical Cyclone Maila, now category 1 cyclone, has been inching back towards the south-eastern tip of PNG's mainland and intensifying.

Papua New Guinea's National Weather Service said all parts of Milne Bay Province will be impacted by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

The Assistant Director for PNG's National Weather Service Benjamin Malai said all parts of Milne Bay Province will be impacted by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

On Friday, Malai updated EMTV News that Maila will bring very heavy rain and strong winds.

"One would say that all parts of Milne Bay will be impacted by this storm as it passes through, during today, tomorrow and Sunday. So, no island will be spared, every island will be impacted in terms of winds, rainfall and storm surges."

According to the last Government census, about 412,158 live in Milne Bay Province.

Meanwhile, a tropical low developing above PNG is expected to bring strong to very strong westerly winds over the northern part of the country.

The warning areas are Manus, New Ireland, West and East Sepik, New Britain Ireland, and the reigon of Bougainville

Solomon Islands

The Tropical Cyclone warning previously issued for Cyclone Maila over the Western Province has now been downgraded to a strong wind warning.

In its latest special weather bulletin update at 9am on Saturday, the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service said a strong wind warning is current for waters of Western, Choiseul and Isabel Provinces.

It said at 5am local time, Tropical Cyclone Maila (category one) was located 156 kilometres Southwest of Mono Island, Western Province in the Solomon Sea.

Cyclone Maila is expected to slowly move southwest towards the south-eastern part of Papua New Guinea.

People in the affected areas should take precautionary measures as such strong winds have the potential to impact lives and properties.

This week, the Solomon Islands government announced it's prioritising emergency humanitarian assistance and relief for cyclone-hit communities.

The Australian High Commisision in Honiara said on social media that the Solomon Islands Government declared a State of Disaster for Western and Choiseul provinces on 10 April.

© Scoop Media

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