By DAVID TERRY
Relief supplies for the thousands of people affected by flash floods in Oro province have been stalled due to the non-availability of helicopters, and the people are expressing anger over the delay in getting much needed food supplies to the needy population scattered throughout the province.
Many people, who walked for days to get into Popondetta, said the situation throughout the province was catastrophic and unless urgent relief supplies were delivered quickly, more people might die from starvation and diseases.
It is understood that bad weather across the Owen Stanley range may have prevented some flights from coming into Popondetta with supplies and personnel.
Governor Suckling Tamanabae again reiterated his call for the National Government to move in quickly with the relief operation under the state of emergency.
Mr Tamanabae also appealed to international aid donors to assist in the relief operation.
Packs of medical supplies prepared by the hospital authorities in Popondetta are also waiting to be airlifted into areas that were affected by the flash floods.
About five tonnes of rice were airlifted to some of the worst affected areas and 45 tonnes are still sitting in Popondetta.
It is also feared that toxic wastes stored in waste ponds at the Higaturu Oil Palm factory at Siroga were damaged and the contents might have spilled into the Double Cross River further endangering the lives of thousands of people living along the river.
A source at the Higaturu Oil Palm Estate denied these reports.
However, two people interviewed yesterday confirmed that toxic waste contained in the dams had leaked and had spilled into the river.
A contingent of PNG Defence Force soldiers and members of the mobile squad unit based at the McGregor barracks in Port Moresby are now in Popondetta to assist in the relief operation.