CYCLONE MAILA THREATENS MILNE BAY AS SLOW-MOVING SYSTEM NEARS WOODLARK ISLAND

BY RICKY ISRAEL

SEVERE Tropical Cyclone Maila remains a serious weather threat to Papua New Guinea after weakening from Category Five to Category Three, but authorities warn it is still bringing strong winds, heavy rain and dangerous seas.

Speaking on the Nasfund FM100 Talkback Show, Acting Assistant Director for Forecasting and Warning at the National Weather Service, Mr Benjamin Malai, said the system is currently located about 190 kilometres northeast of Woodlark Island and around 290 kilometres northeast of Misima Island.

Mr Malai said the cyclone is moving very slowly over Milne Bay waters, which is increasing its impact on affected islands, including prolonged heavy rain, rough seas and damaging wind conditions.

A warning remains in place for Milne Bay Province, especially coastal and island communities including Woodlark, the Trobriand Islands, Fergusson, Normanby, Sudest, Misima and Rossel, while Bougainville is also on alert as outer rainbands continue to affect the region.

He said the system is expected to weaken further as it tracks across the area, with forecasts suggesting it may begin moving out of Papua New Guinea waters by Saturday or Sunday, although conditions will remain hazardous in the meantime.

Mr Malai warned that the cyclone is still capable of producing wind gusts of up to around 195 kilometres per hour, along with very rough seas and possible storm surges affecting low-lying island communities.

He said waves of up to around four metres are still being recorded in parts of Milne Bay waters, making sea travel extremely dangerous.

He is urging people in coastal and island communities to stay away from the sea, secure property, and move to higher ground where necessary until the system fully passes.

Disaster Cordinator on the ground in Milne Bay, Mr Randal Ganisi has confirm on radio this morning, that preparations are underway, with shelters and centres set to accommodate villages from coastal areas moving to higher ground.

The National Weather Service says it will continue to closely monitor Cyclone Maila and issue further updates as the situation develops.