By SHEILA LASIBORI
A HEAVY downpour in Popondetta in Oro province on Monday night resulted in the water supply being disconnected and the wet crossing at Girua coming to a standstill.
The water supply was shut down as of Tuesday night after the Bangoho River located on the outskirts of Popondetta town, threatened to wash the water pump away.
The temporary dam, constructed soon after the flooding last Nov 14, was intact but was threatened by debris washed downriver by the flood.
In recent weeks, PNG Defence Force engineers, officers from the provincial Works division and Waterboard had been busy repairing and installing protective barriers around the PNG Waterboard treatment plant and the tanks, including the temporary dam.
It is hoped that work would be completed by end of this week.
The water supply to the town was only restored about two weeks ago after it collapsed during the November flood.
Water was restored to at least 85% of the consumers in Popondetta town and the areas in its vicinity before being forced to disconnect on Tuesday night.
Provincial Works manager Lalio Erasi confirmed the situation with the temporary water dam and said the water pump would be put back to its location after the debris and the water level recedes.
He said the water supply was likely to be fully restored today.