Minj villagers reel from effects of hailstorm
 

By ELIAS LARI
FOOD crops have started to wilt and die and dead animals including insects have been found near the villages in Minj, Western Highlands province, that were hit by a freakish hailstorm last Friday.
Hailstones, some the size of coconuts pounded Taimul and Tombil villages last Friday wrecking havoc among the population.
Many are now complaining of flu symptoms.
Provincial disaster committee officers and some officials from the division of Primary Industry in the province visited the affected sites yesterday.
The team reported an old woman working in the garden when the hailstorm struck.
“Her right shoulder was dislocated by impact of the hailstone and she is now under medication,” an officer said.
They also reported the deaths of birds, snakes and insects in the bush and dead fish floating in aquaculture ponds in the villages.
Acting provincial coordinator for disaster Joseph Nop Amban said the villagers needed urgent support from the Government and other charity organisations.
He said food crops and coffee were all starting to die and over the next two weeks or so, they would be without any source of food.
Mr Amban appealed to the neighbouring tribes to help the affected villages with food, while they seek assistance elsewhere.
He said charity organisations wishing to help the victims of the freak hailstorm could contact the provincial disaster office.
Mr Amban said his officers were in the process of assessing the damage and counting the number of people affected.
PNG Red cross officials also visited the area and made a commitment to help as soon as possible.
One of the leaders in the affected villages, Mr Paul Tumbe said he was very concerned about lives of the old villagers and children.