Severe weather

A tour operator in Bougainville says they are experiencing windy, wet weather with some flooding as a result of Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila.
The category 3 system is in the Solomon Sea, hundreds of kilometres south-southwest of the autonomous Papua New Guinea region.
The owner of Bougainville Experience Tours, John Miriona, told RNZ Pacific he drove from Arawa to Buka on Tuesday morning and the weather was still wet and windy.
"A lot of flooding from Arawa to Buka along the way but lucky we have the Japanese [constructed] bridges.
"We have to cross over but there were some wet crossings while we travelled down from Arawa to Buka. So the weather here [in Buka] is a bit windy and still raining."
Miriona said they are expecting a cruise ship up from the Solomon Islands, and he is hoping the weather clears up enough for them to be able to still take some tours.
The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) is advising residents of Buka and surrounding areas, including areas along mainland west-coast to Kangu in South Bougainville, that wind speeds from Maila will increase.
"Avoid sea travel, especially for small boats; secure roofs, loose materials, and outdoor items; be cautious in landslide-risk zones, especially in inland areas; stay away from riverbanks and flood-prone areas; stay indoors where possible during strong wind periods; fishermen and coastal communities should remain alert," the ABG said in a statement.
"Even if conditions seem calm at times, winds can pick up suddenly and become dangerous."
According to the PNG National Weather Service, the cyclone will cause heavy rain and flooding, gale force winds, storm surge and coastal inundation.
Meanwhile, the weather service is warning people in Milne Bay Province to prepare themselves for more severe weather later this week.
Maila has moved out of PNG waters into Solomon Islands waters, but is forecast to loop back towards PNG from Thursday.
PNG Weather Service assistant director of forecasting Benjamin Malai is urging people in Milne Bay to take any lull in the weather as an opportunity to get prepared.
"Our warnings are still current especially strong winds and also they are still experiencing some rain and very strong winds right now," he told RNZ Pacific.
"However, when the centre of the storm comes back to their region it will be a little bit worse. Between now and then they have to see how they can be able to protect themselves."
Malai added Maila is forecast to remain a category 3 system by the week's end.