Chimbu landslide disrupts traffic

By GIBSON TORASO
UPNG Journalism student
A LANDSLIDE along the Highlands Highway in Chimbu has disrupted traffic flow causing havoc among travellers.
It had halted food and other supplies from reaching Enga, Southern Highlands, Western Highlands and the Jiwaka region.
Chimbu provincial police commander John Kale said the landslide between Kundiawa and Kerowagi was caused by heavy overnight rain and blocked the main road.
He said trucks transporting goods and machinery to the kina liquefied natural gas project site were stranded in Kundiawa.
He said his men were at the scene of the landslide monitoring the situation while the clearing work was under way.
But he cautioned heavy truck drivers and commuters to get clearances from the Kundiawa and Kerowagi police stations before travelling to the area.
“Youths might take advantage of the situation to steal food and other supplies and rob commuters  up and down the highway. They should get clearance from Kundiawa and Kerowagi police stations before driving through” Supt Kale said.
He said police would maintain their presence at the scene until the road was cleared.
He said it would require more fund and attention to keep the deteriorating condition of most parts of the road as it was the only supply route to most of the Highlands regions.
ENDS……