Tropical Cyclone Maila - Apr 2026

Tropical Cyclone Maila intensified to a Category 3 system on 6 April in the Solomon Sea between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, with winds up to 185 km/h. The cyclone remains slow-moving with an uncertain track, increasing the risk of prolonged exposure. ([ECHO, 6 Apr 2026](https://reliefweb.int/node/4206015))

On 6 April, tropical cyclone MAILA continued moving very slowly over the Solomon Sea, with maximum sustained winds up to 176 km/h. On 7 April at 0.00 UTC, its centre was located offshore, approximately 545 km east of far south-eastern Papua New Guinea, with maximum sustained winds of 167 km/h (equivalent to cat. 2 hurricane in the Saffir-Simpson scale). ([ECHO, 7 Apr 2026](https://reliefweb.int/node/4206225))

Tropical cyclone MAILA is moving towards eastern Papua New Guinea over the Solomon Sea after it crossed the Solomon Islands. On 9 April at 00 UTC, its centre was located offshore, approximately 200 km south of southern Bougainville Island (eastern Papua New Guinea), with maximum sustained winds of 185 km /h. Following its passage over Solomon Islands affecting Choiseul, Western, Isabel, Guadalcanal and Central provinces, seven people are missing, 120 have been displaced and almost 73 000 people in total are affected. ([ECHO, 9 Apr 2026](https://reliefweb.int/node/42062420665925))

On 9 April, tropical cyclone MAILA continued moving very slowly over the Solomon Sea, with maximum sustained winds up to 185 km/h, weakening. On 10 April at 0.00 UTC, its centre was located offshore, approximately 215 km north-east of the Muyua Island (far eastern Papua New Guinea), with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h. According to media, its passage over the Solomon Sea caused heavy rainfall and consequent floods and landslides across Bougainville Island (eastern Papua New Guinea), resulting in two fatalities. ([ECHO, 10 Apr 2026](https://reliefweb.int/node/4206858))

Over 10-11 April, tropical cyclone MAILA continued moving very slowly over the Solomon Sea, wi