Cyclone Maila reaches Category 5 strength in Solomon Sea

Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila has been upgraded to a Category 5 system, with sustained winds near the centre of 215 kilometres per hour and wind gusts to 295 kilometres per hour.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said Maila, currently located in the Solomon Sea, will move towards the Far North Queensland coast over the weekend.

The Solomon Islands Metservice says Maila is southwest of Western Province in the Solomon Sea and intensifying, with gale force winds and very rough seas expected in Western Province.

The SIBC is reporting three people have been reported missing in Solomon Islands.

The Solomon Islands Cabinet is expected to hold an urgent meeting on Wednesday to consider options for support and response measures for communities affected by Maila.

The government has activated the National Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate national response efforts and receiving impact reports.

Meanwhile, Cyclone Vaianu, a Category 3 system, is currently located southwest of Fiji, which has had heavy rain, wind and flooding across the country.

New Zealand's Metservice says Vaianu has the potential to bring severe weather to Aotearoa towards the end of the week.