By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK in Popondetta
THE death toll in Oro province has risen to 153, Disaster and Emergency officials said last night.
They said 78 new deaths were reported at Afore, Sakarina, Mamba and Kamusi areas.
The officials did not give details of how they died, or from what cause.
A senior disaster official said they were able to establish these figures through radio contact.
They said as for the affected areas they cannot reach by radio of other means, there was no way of knowing unless they get in there themselves.
Officials fear more people could die of starvation and water-borne diseases and if those injured are not evacuated quickly to Popondetta for medical treatment.
The officials also say that about 1,000 people have been displaced because their homes have been destroyed.
The officers also said that National Weather Service had given warning one week before cyclone Guba hit the province but the warning wasn’t heeded.