By ANTHONY KAYBING
AT least 24 houses have been damaged by strong winds that hit Pororan Island in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville between 7am and 8am yesterday.
According to reports received from the health administration office in Buka, no lives were lost but many food gardens were destroyed.
The Bougainville local level government (LLG) office said that they had sent an officer to Pororan to assess the situation.
Bougainville local level government spokesman Ephraim Eminoni said reports of the damages were relayed by VHF radio.
Mr Eminoni also said that an emergency operations centre was prepared at the district services office to keep in contact with the island’s status.
The Red Cross branch in Buka have also been alerted on the situation and are on stand-by to provide necessary help to displace persons on Pororan.