Tropical Cyclone (TC) Maila continues to intensify in the Solomon Sea near Western Province as it gains strength and now upgraded to category three.
That’s according to the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service in its warning number five advisory issued at 1:30am Monday morning 6th April 2026.
According to the weather advisory, at 11pm on Sunday night, severe tropical cyclone Maila is located approximately 240 kilometres southwest of Ranonggah Island, Western Province.
Earlier on Saturday and Sunday the cyclone was located between 250 to 270 kilometres southwest of Ranonggah.
However, the latest information means the cyclone is making a turn and is moving slowly back towards to Western Province.
“Cyclone Maila is moving east-southeast towards southwest of Western in the Solomon Sea and intensifying.
“As a result the region will expect gale force winds of 63 to 87 kilometres per hour over whole of Western Province islands with very rough seas and moderate to heavy swells of between 3.5 to 6 metres with potential coastal flooding,” the weather advisory warned.
Reports from Western and Choiseul provinces have revealed damages to coastal areas due to strong waves hitting the coast lines.
The three provinces of Choiseul, Isabel and Western province have been issued red alert given the intensity of the bad weather.
For other provinces an orange alert has been issued.
And they expect winds to reach between 37- 46 kilometres per hour increasing to 61 kilometres per hour.
Communities have been reminded to remain alert.
According to Meteorologist Alex Rilifia, Severe Cyclone Maila is now a category 3 cyclone.
He said, according to the latest track system on Monday morning, the cyclone has changed direction.
“Previously moving west – southwest towards Papua New Guinea (PNG) but now slowly moving southeast towards southwest of Western Province.
“Warning is still current for the country as Severe Cyclone Maila is moving back in a direction towards southwest of Western Province.”
The weather office has advised the cyclone is likely to remain near the Western Province in the Solomon Sea for few days.
According to the Pacifica Tropical Cyclone Updates Tropical Cyclone Maila (30P) is rapidly intensifying in the Solomon Sea and is now a severe tropical cyclone.
“Maila remains in an area of weak steering currents and is forecast to continue meandering in the Solomon Sea during the next couple of days.
“Continued rapid intensification is possible during the next 48 hours or so while Maila remains in a favorable environment, and while the official forecast peaks it as a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone, it could reach a stronger intensity.
“By midweek, Maila is forecast to begin moving west-southwestward. Although it will begin weakening as conditions become less favorable, it will likely pass near the islands of Papua New Guinea’s Milne Bay Province and make a very close approach to Port Moresby on Thursday,” the statement said.
