Floods wreak havoc

FLOODING in four provinces have carried away homes, bridges, churches and schools and forced thousands into shelters, catching the government’s emergency response units by surprise.
Jiwaka, Western Highlands and Gulf provinces now join the Southern Highlands province which had been experiencing floods for the past fortnight.
In Jiwaka, the Waghi River flooded its banks in this mostly-flat region on Independence Day and swept away homes, food gardens and domestic animals.
In Gulf, rain in the hinterlands also caused flooding which carried away homes and gardens in East and West Kikori. Four schools are under water.
National Broadcasting Commission had reported bodies floating down the Fly River in Western and Purari in Gulf. But it is uncertain the deaths were related to the floods.
There had been no reports of any emergency relief action by respective authorities including the National Disaster and Emergency Services coordinating centre.
Only in Southern Highlands, the national government had approved K13 million for emergency repairs to restore services and K500,000 in humanitarian
relief.
Most bridges, modern and traditional, along the Yalo River, were washed away on Sept 6.
Only in Southern Highlands, the national government had approved K13 million for emergency repairs to restore services and K500,000 in humanitarian relief.
The National Weather Bureau in Port Moresby warned of further rains last week but said the rains were not related to the El Nino weather phenomenon.