SYDNEY, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Three people have been reported missing in the Solomon Islands as emergency warnings remain in place in eastern Papua New Guinea (PNG) after Tropical Cyclone Maila reached Category 5 strength in the Solomon Sea.
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said that Tropical Cyclone Maila was a Category 5 storm in the Solomon Sea around 425 km west of Honiara and 980 km east of Port Moresby as of 4 a.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday (1800 GMT on Tuesday).
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service said in an updated emergency warning issued on Wednesday morning that the cyclone was about 170 km off the coast of the country's Western Province.
It said the storm would cause gale force winds across islands in Western Province and bring widespread heavy rain and thunderstorms that could cause landslides and flooding.
The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation reported on Tuesday night that three people have been reported missing following severe weather from the cyclone in Choiseul Province, which neighbors Western Province to the north.
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force said on Tuesday that it has activated operations centers in Western and Choiseul provinces and urged all members of the public to take necessary precautions. ■