Overview
- Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila, which resumed a westward move on Thursday, is a category 4 about 1,300 km from Australia with wind gusts near 260 km/h.
- The Bureau of Meteorology says a coastal crossing is likely early next week, most likely between Cooktown and Lockhart River, though the exact landfall and timing remain uncertain.
- Forecasters expect Maila to weaken as it interacts with Papua New Guinea and Cape York, with a moderate chance of re‑intensifying later over the Gulf of Carpentaria.
- Cyclone Vaianu is a category 3 near Fiji that is driving heavy rain, flash flooding, power issues, and flight disruptions, and New Zealand forecasters warn of damaging winds and heavy rain for the North Island this weekend.
- BOM says Maila set a record for strength so far north in the Solomon Sea, and reports from the Solomon Islands include property damage and missing people after a boat capsized in heavy seas.