BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Western Provincial Government has officially activated its Emergency Operations Centre in response to the worsening impacts of tropical cyclone Maila that has been affecting communities across the province.

Deputy Provincial Secretary, Collin Potakana, confirmed the activation yesterday following a surge in reports from communities experiencing the effects of strong winds, heavy rainfall, and rising sea levels.

He said the move was in line with established disaster response procedures, ensuring that authorities are better coordinated and prepared to assist affected communities.

“Today the Western Provincial Disaster Committee met and discussed our response to the current bad weather. One of our decisions was to activate the Emergency Centre so that we can help our communities with advice and at the same time get updates from the communities,” Potakana said.

He said officers have been placed on high alert at the centre to receive calls, monitor the situation, and gather critical information from across the province.

According to Mr Potakana, the Emergency Centre will operate around the clock, with officers working 24/7 to provide necessary support services as the province continues to battle adverse weather conditions.

He appeals to residents, particularly those living in high-risk areas, to take extra precautions during this period.

“Please take extra precaution. Don’t go out when you know it is not safe. Stay safe,” Mr Potakana urged.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as the cyclone system progresses, with further updates expected as more information becomes available.

Photo credit: Ben Bilua

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

VILLAGES along the coastline of central Ranongga Island in Western Province are experiencing severe weather conditions as a tropical depression continues to affect large parts of the province.

Communities have reported strong winds and persistent heavy rainfall over the past few days, with waves exceeding three metres posing a serious threat to coastal properties.

Wooden canoes and boats have been moved to higher ground as residents brace for worsening conditions.

Freelancer, Chris Podokolo, who is currently on the island, said people are preparing for the worst, with some communities already putting evacuation plans in place.

“Koriovuku community has witnessed sea levels rising to about 1.5 metres, with powerful waves breaking through the coastline,” Podokolo said.

He added that despite previous efforts to strengthen the coastline following the April 2, 2007 tsunami, where land levels were raised between two to three metres, the current waves are now reaching beyond those barriers.

Podokolo said residents living along the coast remain on edge as winds continue to intensify.

“There is constant fear among people as the wind keeps picking up speed,” he said.

Podokolo said travel has also been disrupted, with community leaders advising against sea travel to prevent accidents and possible loss of life.

He said this has significantly affected Easter preparations, as many families are unable to travel to Gizo for shopping.

“Visibility is very poor at the moment, so most boat owners have decided not to travel,” Podokolo added.

Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service has issued weather warnings as the system intensifies.

As of 5pm yesterday, a tropical low (37U) with a central pressure of 991 hectopascals was located near latitude 9.1 degrees south and longitude 155.1 degrees east—approximately 128 nautical miles (238 kilometres) west of Rendova Island.

The system is moving slowly west-northwest at about four knots in the Solomon Sea and is expected to intensify further.

Forecasts indicate gale force winds of between 34 to 47 knots over Western Province, while Choiseul and Isabel provinces can expect winds of up to 33 knots.

Sea conditions are expected to worsen, with rough seas and moderate swells ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 metres, increasing the risk of coastal flooding.

Other parts of the country are also expected to experience strong winds of 20 to 25 knots and moderate to rough seas.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging communities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions as the weather system develops.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Coastal communities in Choiseul Province are facing increasing hardship as severe weather conditions continue to batter the region, causing rising sea levels and widespread damage to homes and properties.

Reports from affected areas indicate that strong winds, heavy rainfall, and rough seas have forced seawater inland, flooding low-lying villages.

In several communities, houses built along the coastline have been partially submerged, with some structures reportedly sinking as waves continue to erode the shoreline.

Local journalist, Augustine Tani who is currently in Choiseul province said sea has invaded some of the low laying communities as it continues to rise.

He said a number of properties such as canoe-shades, kitchens and small market houses have already been destroyed.

“People are living in constant fear as the bad weather continues. Some of the people are seeking refuge on higher ground.

“This weather is different and it is really bad,” Tani said.

He adds that the rising sea level has not only damaged homes but also threatened livelihoods, with gardens and water sources affected by saltwater intrusion.

“We are seeing the sea coming closer to our homes than ever before. “People are scared and are now moving to safer areas inland,” Tani said.

He said the situation remains tense as fears grow over the movement of the tropical cyclone, which is currently tracking towards Papua New Guinea.

Although it has not made direct landfall in Choiseul, its outer bands continue to generate dangerous weather conditions across the province.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are urging communities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.

Photo credit: Augustine Tani

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Category 3 TC leaves trail of destruction in Western and Choiseul provinces

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

TROPICAL Cyclone Maila has wreaked havoc across Western and Choiseul provinces, leaving a trail of destruction as strong winds, heavy rain and rising sea levels battered coastal communities over the past two days.

TC Maila as of 5pm yesterday was 263km south-west of Ranongga. Maila is slowly moving southeast and intensifying, an update at 7.30pm yesterday by the Solomon Islands Met Service said.

Reports reaching Island Sun confirm that many properties have been damaged in Choiseul and West, with some communities experiencing unusually high tides that swept inland and destroyed homes and food gardens.

In an interview yesterday, Sydney Lekevolomo from Sasamuga in Choiseul Province said the village endured a terrifying night as the cyclone intensified in the early hours.

“Sasamuga was battered by strong winds, heavy rain and incoming sea from around 4:00am until morning.

“It was the worst night we ever experienced. The wind, rain and the rising sea combined contributed to the situation.

“Some houses along the coastline were flattened, and fruit trees were also brought down,” he said.

Lekevolomo said many residents fled to higher ground during the night and remain at evacuation sites as they wait for conditions to improve.

He said the weather showed signs of easing, with communities hopeful for calmer conditions.

A similar situation was reported in Iriqila village in Western Province, where a local school teacher, Clarence Kula, described the impact as severe.

“Our community went through a very frightening experience last night.

“The wind speed was different—it was fierce. The heavy rain combined with the incoming sea made the situation worse for those living along the coastline,” he said.

Kula confirmed that key community infrastructure, including the village market, several petrol depots and kitchens, were destroyed during the storm.

He said the bad weather intensified again later in the afternoon, keeping residents on edge while conditions briefly improved yesterday morning,

Kula said no casualties have been reported so far although communities are bracing for further impacts.

Island Sun understands that Cyclone Maila continues to pose a threat to many parts of Western and Choiseul provinces, with several communities already suffering significant losses over the past two days.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses have been sharing photos and videos on social media, showing the extent of the damage as the cyclone continues to move through the region.

Authorities are yet to release a full assessment of the damage as affected communities remain on alert. 

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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale is calling on leaders of Melanesian countries to ‘speak up against atrocities in West Papua’.

This call follows fresh reports of alleged killing of civilians by Indonesian forces in the Dogiyai Regency in West Papua on March 31.

Indonesian police allegedly fired ‘indiscriminately’ towards residences and a market in response to the killing of a police officer that morning, a statement by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) on April 2 said.

Five people including a 60-year-old woman were killed, and others wounded including an 11-year-old boy who was shot in the chest and remains in critical condition, ULMWP reported.

Opposition Leader Mr Wale said reports of the killing including a minor are deeply troubling and raise serious questions about the protection of indigenous Melanesian communities.

“The people of the Solomon Islands share strong historical, cultural, and ancestral ties with the people of West Papua, and such incidents resonate across our region,” Wale said.

The Opposition Leader said the safety, dignity and human rights of all Melanesians must be upheld at all times.

“Fellow Melanesians must stand in solidarity with the people of West Papua and I urge regional leaders especially Melanesian leaders to speak up and to ensure that justice is pursued and that lasting peace is prioritized,” Wale said.

In light of the killings in Dogiyai, President of ULMWP Benny Wenda echoed his calls for leaders of Pacific nations to condemn and pressure Indonesia to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua.

“I direct this particularly at Pacific leaders – how long will you allow Indonesia to spill Melanesian blood before taking a real stand against this genocidal occupation? How many Papuans must die?” Mr Wenda said.

“On behalf of the ULMWP and the people of West Papua, I reiterate our demand for Indonesia to allow UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua.

“Over 110 countries – a clear majority of the UN member states – have now demanded this visit, but Indonesia continues to refuse.

“Dogiyai is not an isolated incident: every day brings a new atrocity. How long will the world allow this to continue before Indonesia is made to suffer genuine diplomatic consequences for their refusal?” Wenda said.

The killings in Dogiyai are the latest in what the ULMWP has described as ‘military escalation’ by Indonesia in West Papua.

“West Papuan civilians are the victims of Prabowo’s [Indonesian president] ongoing military escalation, which has spread across Yahukimo, Intan Jaya, Paniai, Maybrat, and now Dogiyai,” ULMWP said.

“What the carnage in Dogiyai demonstrates is that Indonesia views all West Papuans as legitimate targets.

“Elders, women, and children: no one is safe from the murderous vengeance of the Indonesian security state.

“The massacre triggered a wave of internal displacement, as terrified civilians fled into the mountains and surrounding villages.”

West Papua has been under Indonesia’s control since 1963. Indonesia regards West Papua as its province.

Since then, the region has seen a persistent pro-independence movement met with heavy military presence and systematic repression.

Human rights organisations and academic reports have documented widespread extrajudicial killings, torture, and mass displacement, with some scholars and activists describing the situation as a “slow-motion genocide”.

Estimates of the total death toll since the 1960s vary significantly, with some advocacy groups and researchers suggesting figures as high as 500,000 Papuans killed.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele attended the opening of the 2026 Easter Conference hosted by Kingdom Harvest Ministries International (KHMI) in Henderson, Honiara on Friday, April 3^rd.

A statement from the Press Secretariat of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) yesterday, said the event marks a significant Good Friday gathering of church leaders and international delegates under the International Strategic Alliance of Apostolic Churches (ISAAC) network.

PM Manele described the Easter season as a sacred time for reflection, renewal, and unity among Solomon Islanders, when he delivered the keynote address to delegates from across the Pacific region including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Vanuatu.

He highlighted the importance of the conference theme, “The Power of One for Revival,” as a timely call for national unity.

“This theme is a clarion call for unity, an invitation for us to align our hearts and efforts in purposeful harmony to secure a peaceful and prosperous future for our nation,” PM Manele said.

He said that unity is the foundation for transformation, noting that true revival begins when people come together with a shared purpose, reflecting from Acts Chapter 2.

“Revival does not begin with authority it begins with unity. When we align our purpose, the strength to transform our nation follows,” he said.

PM said that this principle extends beyond the Church to all sectors of society, including government, education, business, and communities, urging collaboration across all domains to achieve national development.

He also reaffirmed the Government’s recognition of the Church as a key partner in nation-building, highlighting the ongoing role of the Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs as a core pillar of government policy.

“Nation-building in Solomon Islands cannot be separated from the Church. The Government values this partnership and acknowledges the Church’s vital role in shaping values, strengthening families, and guiding our nation,” he said.

Prime Minister Manele also called on the Church to remain united and continue to provide moral guidance, noting that strong leadership requires spiritual grounding.

“The Government needs the Church, its guidance, its prayers, and its courage to speak truth with wisdom and fairness,” he added.

The statement noted that the Prime Minister urged all participants to ensure the conference becomes more than an event, but a movement for unity and transformation across the nation.

“This must be our moment to come together as one, so that revival can begin and spread throughout Solomon Islands,” he said.

Photo credit: Press Secretariat, OPMC

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