Remote Papua New Guinea landslide kills 10 after days of heavy rain and flooding brought by Cyclone Maila
A landslide in the remote Lamarain area of Gazelle District, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, killed 10 people after prolonged heavy rain linked to Tropical Cyclone Maila. Local community accounts said the victims had been sheltering in makeshift garden houses after flooding cut off access between their village and gardens.
Landslide scar in Lamarain Ward, Papua New Guinea - April 2026. Credit: NBC
A landslide in Lamarain Ward, Inland Baining LLG, Gazelle District, killed 10 people after several days of heavy rain and flooding linked to Tropical Cyclone Maila. The remoteness of Lamarain and flood damage to the only road into the area delayed access for recovery teams.
Local accounts cited by provincial media said the first landslide struck early on April 9, killing nine people and injuring others. A second slope failure the following day claimed another life, raising the death toll to 10. Local media said the dead included a pregnant woman and three toddlers. Injury figures remain unclear, with media reports citing between nine and 18 people hurt.
Ward member Augustine Danang said the victims had been staying in makeshift garden shelters after floodwaters cut access between Lamarain village and nearby food gardens. The landslide struck while they were waiting for water levels to fall.
Provincial administrator Levi Mano and Gazelle MP Jelta Wong told local media the landslide followed days of severe weather and heavy rainfall affecting East New Britain.
References:
1 Deadly landslide claims 10 lives in PNG’s East New Britain, local media report – RNZ – April 16, 2026
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