Milne Bay sets up emergency centre for Cyclone Maila updates

The Milne Bay Provincial Administration has established a Provincial Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate information on Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila.

The decision was made during an emergency meeting on Tuesday, as the cyclone continues to move through Milne Bay waters.

Provincial Disaster Coordinator Randal Ganisi told NBC News the centre will serve as the official platform for sharing updates and advisories with the public.

He said this is aimed at addressing misleading information circulating on social media, which could put people at risk.

They will work in coordination with the government network in all affected areas to receive daily updates, which will then be vetted by Acting Provincial Administrator Sharon Mua before being released to the media and the public.

The centre will also be supported by two former servicemen, former Disaster Coordinator Steven Tobessa and former Alotau Fire Commander Isoa Prout.

They are working on the installation of a Free Toll number for the public to stay in touch with.

It will be the nerve center of monitoring of the current Tropical Cyclone Maila and the response and recovery mitigation work after.

They have setup office at the Milne Bay Transport Authority yard at Sanderson Bay.