An Impact Based Warning Number Three was issued by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services at 1:30pm on Sunday afternoon 5th April 2026.
The weather office also issued an Red Alert for Western, Choiseul and Isabel Provinces.
Orange Alert for Central, Malaita, Guadalcanal, Makira, Temotu and Rennell/Bellona Provinces.
At 11am on Sunday morning Tropical Cyclone Maila (Category 2) with a central pressure of 986 hectopascals was located approximately 136 nautical miles (252 Kilometres ) West of Ranoggah Island, Western Province.
Cyclone Maila is slow moving West-Southwest at 02 knots towards Kiriwina Island of Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the Solomon Sea and intensifying.
Meanwhile, a developing tropical low is also located southeast of Tikopia Island in Temotu Province.
This low is expected to move southward.
Strong wind, heavy rain, thunderstorm, flooding and landslide are expected.
Therefore, people are advised to take this Heavy Rain and Flood What to Do Information seriously.
RECOMMENDED SAFETY ACTIONS:
1. FOR VILLAGE LEADERS & FAMILIES
❖ Listen to your radio for emergency information – SIBC, FM, HF radio.
❖ Inform your neighbours and vulnerable people about the current heavy rain situation.
❖ If flood risk increases, activate your response plan and move to a safe area/location.
2. FOR PEOPLE LIVING CLOSE TO RIVERS AND SHORELINES AREAS UNDER THE THREAT OF FLOODING
❖ Keep together important items like radio, mobile phones, torch, knife, food, water, important
papers, and important medicines ready to take with you to safe area if REQUIRED evacuation.
❖ Store drinking water in sealed bottles as watersupply may be interrupted (e.g. dirty or supply cut off).
❖ Do not allow children to play in the rain and on flood rising water or drainage areas.
❖ If flood risk increases, activate your individual response plan and move to a safe area.
❖ Listen to radio for more information to keep you updated.
3. FOR MOTORISTS
❖ Take extra care when travelling on wet, slippery and flooded roads.
❖ Beware of water covered roads and bridges.
❖ Make sure you have your lights on and drive at less than 40km per hour speed.
❖ Double the distance you leave between your car and the car in front of you as stopping distance
are increased by wet roads.
❖ Do not attempt to cross flowing rivers and large streams of unknown depth.
4. FOR BOATS AND SHIPS
❖ Mariners are advice to be extra caution when planning or travelling out in the sea.
❖ Avoid travelling at all if you can.
❖ When going out in the sea, always inform someone of where you are going and your expected time of travel.
