Flooding caused K1 million-plus damage to hotel

By SAMUEL BARIASI
THE Sanctuary Hotel and Spa in Waigani, Port Moresby, shut down its operations temporarily on Sunday due to damage caused by flooding from the heavy rain the previous night.
Hotel general manger Bella Pang said one of her staff members had a miscarriage as a result of the floods.
Pang said the cost of the damage caused by the deluge could reach over a million kina.
The office, kitchen, gym and workshop equipment were all damaged, she said.
“We are still working on the cost of the damage,” she said.
“My staff tried to save some of our equipment and supplies but the water rose high within seconds.
“Almost everything on the ground level was damaged.
“We had to move upstairs all our guests in rooms on the ground floor because the water managed to find its way into the rooms as well.”
Pang said water damaged the walls and windows of a number of buildings.
“We were told by the people who used to live here before that they never experienced flooding like this,” she said. Pang said she was worried about her employees’ wellbeing.
“We have over 100 Papua New Guinean employees whom we are providing accommodation for but they will be living without pay,” she said.
“All our staff are housed, they have electricity and water – all provided by the hotel.
“It is going to take us a while to recover from the damage caused.
“Our staff have been working since Sunday morning to clean up the place.’