Cyclone Maila kills over 11 in Papua New Guinea

Melbourne: At least 11 people have died, including eight in a landslide, after Tropical Cyclone Maila hit the autonomous Bougainville region of Papua New Guinea. 

Reports said on Monday that 11 people were killed in Bougainville, located over 950 km northeast of Port Moresby in the Solomon Sea, amid widespread destruction caused by the cyclone.

According to the National Broadcasting Corporation of PNG, at least eight people were killed by a landslide that destroyed homes in Asiko Village in Central Bougai­n­ville. Two more women died after being hit by fallen trees, NBC reported, and around 12 other people have been hospitalised with various injuries.

Tropical Cyclone Maila reached Category 5 strength in the Solomon Sea and caused major flood and destruction in eastern parts and the Solomon Islands.

On Sunday, PM James Marape said the government had begun mobilising essential relief supplies, including food rations, clean water, medical supplies and temporary shelters.

—IANS