East Kerema hit by king tides: Health worker

The National National
A recent king tide is affecting schools, services and people of three villages in Gulf. Sand bags placed last year as barricades have been washed away. – Picture courtesy of Priscilla Harry

A TEAM from the National Disaster Centre is in Gulf to meet leaders and assess sites damaged by a recent king tide.
According to the National Ocean Service, a king tide is a non-scientific term people often use to describe exceptionally high tides.
Three villages affected were Kukipi, Isapeape and Lese Avihara in the East Kerema local level government (LLG).
After almost a week of experiencing high tidal surges which are expected to continue through the month, an average of 25 structures including homes in each village have been swept away as well as a sub health centre at Lese Avihara.
Lese Avihara community health worker (CHW), Josephine Sam said medicines had been washed off shelves and affecting healthcare for the village and surrounding communities.
She added that water wells had been contaminated as a result of the tides and people were reporting sick from related conditions such as food poisoning.
“It’s difficult for me because I don’t have the supplies to help the community,” she said.
She said villagers were currently drinking from two water tanks which belonged to the school and the sub-health centre.
She urged the Gulf Provincial Health Authority (PHA) to help the centre with medical supplies.
Sam said schools had also been affecteted.