Maila’s fury: over 100,000 affected across Bougainville

Bougainville is facing widespread destruction from Tropical Cyclone Maila, with initial estimates putting more than 100-thousand people affected and close to 16-20 thousand in urgent need of immediate assistance.

The Disaster and Emergency Directorate says impacts are being felt right across the region – from the Atolls to South Bougainville – with heavy damage reported to homes, food gardens, water sources, roads, bridges and other key infrastructure.

Director Julius Nohu confirms the situation on the ground is dire, with entire communities displaced and access routes cut off by floodwaters and landslides.

Eleven people have now been confirmed dead – eight from Asiko Village in Kongara Constituency, one on Buka Island and two in South Bougainville – with more injuries expected as reports continue to come in.

Authorities have also recorded two cases of missing persons and five separate landslides as the full extent of the disaster continues to unfold.

Relief operations have now been activated, with teams working urgently to deliver supplies despite major challenges in reaching isolated communities.

Priority is now being placed on the nearly 20-thousand people mostly severely affected, as the region pushes to respond to one of its worst natural disasters in recent times.