Sydney : Cyclone Maila has triggered severe flooding and landslides in Papua New Guinea, killing at least 11 people.
Entire villages were destroyed in the storm, which hit coastal areas with full force. Papua New Guinea’s public broadcaster NBC reported initial estimates put more than 10,000 people affected and nearly 20,000 in need of immediate assistance across Bougainville.
James Marape, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, said it remained difficult to reach remote communities with reports of damage still coming in.
“We will make sure we reach every place, every island, and every community that has been affected,” he said, adding that aid deliveries including food, drinking water and emergency shelter had been organised.
Neighbouring Solomon Islands were also hit by the storm, with remote island regions suffering significant damage. Australia pledged financial assistance to both countries.
Maila passed through the Solomon Sea with wind gusts of nearly 300 kilometres per hour and was briefly classified as a Category 5 cyclone before weakening.
