Tropical Cyclone Maila in the Solomon Seas is still active and has been upgraded to Category 5, the highest level of cyclone intensity scale and it is severe in nature. This indicates that the cyclone will have devastating impacts to places along its path.
The National Weather Service advised that TC Maila is currently in the Solomon Islands territory, but it was expected to return to PNG territory in the early hours of this morning and move towards southwest over the next couple of days.
As TC Maila returns, it will be at slow transit speed along its path towards southwest which will cause catastrophic wind gusts and unprecedented rainfall accumulation and structural fatigue. This will lead to flash flooding, king tides, landslides, and coastal inundation while houses, power poles/lines and trees to be blown off and potential communications breakdown to be expected in the outer Islands of Milne Bay Province.
The areas under alert include Rossel Island, Sudest Island, Misima Island, Woodlark Island and Kiriwina Island in Milne Bay Province and South Bougainville. The areas on watch for gusty winds and rainfall include provinces in Southern Region, Momase Region and NGI Region.
As such, the National Disaster Centre, with technical advice from the National Weather Service, urgently urges the Milne Bay Provincial Administration to inform people in the above mentioned islands to move to inland high-grounds and safe places. Furthermore, restriction must be made for small crafts or vessels to go out during this time and prepare any emergency kits or life-saving supplies. For provinces under watch, take all necessary precautionary measures to minimize potential risks from TC Maila
The National Disaster Centre is issuing this warning to all maritime provinces and calls for immediate preventive action. The Centre will continue to work closely with relevant technical agencies to monitor the situation and provide further updates.
The public may contact National Disaster Centre Operations on 3252312 or email info@pngndc.gov.pg or visit www.pngndc.gov.pg to report any disaster events.
Furthermore, the public is advised and encouraged to visit the nearest provincial disaster offices to report any disaster situation.