BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
SEVERAL communities in North Vella, Western Province, are facing severe impacts from Tropical Cyclone Maila, with widespread damage reported to infrastructure and food gardens.
Communities including Iriqila, Leona, Paramatta and JAC have been identified as among the worst affected, according to Member of the Provincial Government for Ward 10, Freedom Tozaka.
Mr Tozaka said the cyclone has brought continuous strong winds, rough seas and high swells since Monday this week, leaving residents stranded and unable to move freely.
“Our communities have been experiencing very strong winds and dangerous sea conditions, making it difficult for people to travel or access basic services,” he said.
Tozaka said the destruction of food gardens has heightened concerns over food security, calling for urgent assistance to support affected families.
“I call for immediate response plans to assist communities, especially in terms of food supply,” he said.
The Western Province Provincial Disaster Operations Committee is actively working to coordinate response efforts.
The committee met yesterday and is making steady progress in planning relief operations.
The Western Provincial Emergency Operations Centre is also operating around the clock, gathering information from affected communities across the province to guide response strategies.
However, deployment of response teams remains on hold due to ongoing bad weather conditions, which authorities say could pose serious risks to personnel.
Efforts are expected to roll out once conditions improve adding that the team continues to monitor the situation closely.
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