Cyclone Maila
Category 5 Australian region severe tropical cyclone in 2026
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Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila was a very erratic and extremely rare tropical cyclone in the Australian region, becoming the first tropical cyclone to be named by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea since Cyclone Guba in 2007. It was also the strongest tropical cyclone in the Port Moresby's area of responsibility in recorded history.[a] Maila was the twenty-third tropical low, eleventh tropical cyclone, and seventh severe tropical cyclone of the 2025–26 Australian region cyclone season. The origins of Maila stemmed from a tropical low, designated 37U by the Bureau of Meteorology, which was first designated on 2 April, located between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The tropical low crossed the 155th meridian east into Port Moresby's area of responsibility on 4 April, where it would begin to consolidate, being given the name Maila. Later that day and was upgraded to a Category 1 cyclone on the Australian scale. Maila began to quickly strengthen while moving sluggishly and erratically, and by the next day, the cyclone was upgraded to a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone, or a Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Over the next few days, Maila would slowly drift eastward whilst maintaining Category 3 status on the Australian scale, by 7 April, the cyclone would resume its intensification, reaching Category 4 status on the Australian scale, or Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Its rapid intensification would continue into the next morning, where it achieved Category 5 status on the Australian scale and Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Maila near peak intensity over the Solomon Sea on 7 April | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2 April 2026 |
| Remnant low | 11 April 2026 |
| Dissipated | 11 April 2026 |
| Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (BOM) | |
| Highest winds | 215 km/h (130 mph) |
| Highest gusts | 295 km/h (185 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 924 hPa (mbar); 27.29 inHg |
| Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 230 km/h (145 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 930 hPa (mbar); 27.46 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 11+[1] |
| Injuries | 12 |
| Missing | 7 |
| Damage | Unknown |
| Areas affected | Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea |
Part of the 2025–26 Australian region cyclone season | |
Meteorological history
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionOn 2 April, Tropical Low 37U formed in the northeastern Coral Sea, between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.[2] On 4 April, the system crossed 155°E into the area of responsibility of TCWC Port Moresby and was given the name Maila. Maila was the first tropical cyclone to be named by TCWC Port Moresby since Cyclone Guba in 2007.[3] Just to the north of the equator, Typhoon Sinlaku formed as a twin cyclone to Maila, forming from the same moisture and wind patterns.[4] Rapid strengthening and gradual northwestward movement occurred throughout the remainder of the day. By 5 April, Maila intensified and reached Category 3 status on the Australian scale, or Category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale follow by that, Maila's intensification would slow down and begin to fluctuate for the next two days as it drifted to the east. Intensification resumed on 7 April where it was upgraded to a Category 4 cyclone on the Australian scale (Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale). By the next morning, Maila had rapidly intensified into a Category 5 cyclone on the Australian scale (Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale), albeit the eastern periphery of the storm's structure began to become uneven due to its own oceanic upwelling[5] and eventually became a Category 1 cyclone on the Australian cyclone with the cloud tops dissipated after upwelling.
Preparations and impact
Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands were battered with heavy winds and rains.[6] The seas around the nation was also agitated.[7] The Western Province and Choiseul Province were significantly affected by tidal floods from Maila.[6] Three people went missing in Choiseul and four went missing in the Western Province.[8] The three from Choiseul were later found in Isabel Province.[9]
After the storm, the National Disaster Council began distributing supplies, including medicine, food, water and shelter, across the nation.[10] Jeremiah Manele, the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, issued SI$10 million in relief assistance.[10] The Solomon Islands requested Papua New Guinea to send police to aid with the emergency response.[11]
Papua New Guinea
The Tropical Cyclone Warning Center in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, issued tropical cyclone warnings and heavy rain warnings across the southeastern portion of the country.[12] Gale warnings were also issued for several provinces in the nation.[13] Classes were suspended in Bougainville due to inclement weather.[14]
Papua New Guinea saw at least 11 deaths from the cyclone,[1] including eight people on a dinghy from Woodlark Island who made medical evacuations to Milne Bay went missing during the storm.[6][15] The dinghy's crew was later found sheltering on Egom Island, waiting for clear weather.[15] Flights to Tokua Airport were cancelled due to a flooded runway.[16] Roads in New Britain were heavily damaged by Maila.[6] Power outages were also reported on New Britain.[17] Water service failed in Rabaul and Kokopo.[17]
Two women, one in Buka and the other in South Bougainville, were reported deceased and a six-year-old in Buin was injured due to fallen trees in Bougainville associated with Maila's passage.[18] Eight more died in a landslide in Central Bougainville, with more being hospitalized by the event.[19] After the storm, the National Broadcasting Corporation of Papua New Guinea claimed that 20,000 people needed urgent aid in the region.[20] A statement from Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama was released noting that heavy rain and winds from the storm had significantly affected communities across Bougainville, causing damage to homes, businesses and emergency services.[21] The food supply chain was disrupted in the region.[1] A bridge crossing the Ramazon River was washed out.[18] A car was washed away in South Bougainville.[18]
Australia has offered A$2.5 million in aid to support the clean-up effort in the nation, with foreign minister Penny Wong announcing A$1 million for impacts in Bougainville and Milne Bay.[1] A provincial relief team for Milne Bay was organized in the aftermath.[22] HMPNGS Rochus Lokinap, HMPNGS Francis Agwi, HMPNGS Agiwau, and HMPNGS Lokinap were dispatched to Alotau with relief supplies.[22]
See also
Notes
- Officially, reliable records of Australian region tropical cyclones began in 1970, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. This was the approximate period when the BoM tracked tropical cyclones via satellite imagery.
