First cyclone casualty reported

An adult male is said to be Milne Bay's first cyclone casualty as severe Tropical Cyclone Maila makes its devastating way through Milne Bay waters.

The local Emergency Operation Center via Coordinator Randal Ganisi has confirmed verifying this information.

Gawa Island is within Murua LLG, just off Woodlark Island.

Awareness and warning has been stepped up for the province's cyclone prone areas, the message is to stay away from sea edge, move to higher grounds, properly tie down property, find a secure shelter, stockup on food and water and to wait this out.

With wind gusts of up to 250km/h, TC Maila is battering island communities at full force as it is and its slow pass a huge worry.