Historical Samarai Island battered

A warehouse structure where people had taken refuge away from their homes by the sea had its roof blown away by strong wind (Image: Anthony Kupana)

While winds have subsided for areas in the Bwanabwana area in Milne Bay, they were not spared from destruction to homes and food gardens.

On historical Samarai Island, they are still sheltering at the Samarai Island Homestay Guesthouse who've opened up their doors for people.

Samarai Island has been without power since winds picked up a week ago; that's still the case.

Former councilor Anthony Kupana tells NBC News, people living closer to the sea had sought shelter in the island center at Tom Harold's place, a warehouse structure but strong winds last Friday blew its roof off and the next day they were moved into the Homestay Guesthouse.

Children having their meal at the Homestay Guesthouse (Image: Anthony Kupana)

He says there are at least 20 people there, most of whom are children and the elderly.

On Sunday, he said, "Besides numerous houses suffering wind damage, there were fallen trees all over the island, and the seawall behind the Samarai Island market had collapsed.

The PNG National Weather Service, in its last update on Sunday morning, warned that while Cyclone Maila has been downgraded to a tropical low, there will continue to be gusts of wind lasting a few more days.