Country: Papua New Guinea Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Date of event 10-04-2026 What happened, where and when? Tropical Cyclone Maila developed in the Solomon Sea and intensified into a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone on 6 April 2026, with sustained winds near the centre reaching 150 km/h and wind gusts of up to 205 km/h. Although the system moved slowly between 6 and 7 April, this significantly increased the risk of prolonged rainfall, coastal inundation, and strong winds across affected areas. It further intensified into a Category 5 cyclone on 8 April, causing widespread impacts in provinces along its path. Due to its slow movement, TC Maila generated severe impacts, including catastrophic wind gusts, intense and sustained rainfall, and structural damage. The most affected locations include the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Milne Bay. The impacts resulted in several bridges and roads being washed away due to flash flooding and intense rainfall, which also triggered landslides. In the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, 23 people (19 adults and 4 children) have been reported dead. Atoll islands in Bougainville and Milne Bay experienced sudden large waves caused by heavy rain and strong winds. Many low-lying atolls and islands had homes and food gardens destroyed or submerged. Food security has been significantly affected, as gardens have been washed away or buried by landslides. Other provinces, such as East New Britain, West New Britain, and New Ireland, have also experienced heavy rainfall that damaged roads, as well as strong winds that affected semi-permanent houses along coastal areas. Assessments in the affected provinces are ongoing, but progress is hindered by the remoteness of small islands and atolls, as well as damaged infrastructure, including washed-away roads and bridges. In some areas, communication has been cut off, making it difficult to collect data and fully understand the extent of the impact caused by Tropical Cyclone Maila. The Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society (PNGRCS) is gradually receiving information from branch volunteers to build a clearer picture of the situation. This is the first disaster of this magnitude caused by a tropical cyclone in decades. Severe impacts from tropical cyclones are uncommon in Papua New Guinea, and TC Maila has therefore had a significant impact on communities across the provinces along its path.
Papua New Guinea: Cyclone Maila 2026 – DREF Operation (MDRPG013)
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