Cyclone Maila

Overview

Tropical Cyclone Maila formed in early April 2026 and rapidly intensified as it stalled over the warm waters of the Solomon Sea between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. By April 8 it had been upgraded to a Category 5 system with maximum sustained winds of approximately 215 km/h and a minimum pressure of 924 hPa, making it by some estimates the strongest cyclone ever to form in those waters. In the Solomon Islands, Western and Choiseul provinces bore the brunt of the storm, with storm surges inundating coastal communities, homes and boat sheds destroyed, schools and clinics damaged, and banana plantations and root-crop gardens devastated, raising fears of food shortages. The Solomon Islands Government declared a State of Disaster for Western and Choiseul provinces on April 10. In Papua New Guinea, Tokua Airport in East New Britain suspended flights due to runway flooding, roads were washed out, and bridges collapsed across the Niugini Islands region. In Bougainville, two women were confirmed dead and strong winds caused unprecedented damage to homes, livelihoods, and essential services. Three members of one family remain missing after their boat capsized in heavy seas. Bougainville's National MPs announced a US$1.16 million emergency response package for affected communities.