Flooding destroys Chimbu village

FLOODwaters raced into one of the biggest villages in upper Chimbu’s Gembogl last week, destroying hundreds of kina worth of properties.
Prolonged heavy rain in Gembogl saw streams near Pombemeri village burst their banks and flood the village, destroying homes, gardens, domesticated animals, roads and bridges and leaving more than 2,000 persons homeless.
Pombemeri village spokesman Joe Nakai said heavy rain continued for two days and caused landslides on the slopes of two mountains, threatening the village.
Floodwaters rushed into the village leaving little or no time for anyone to remove anything before fleeing to higher grounds.
“The village lost 29 houses, including three permanent and two semi-permanent ones, two mini-hydro power plants that powered the villages, and several domesticated animals,” Nakai said.
“Properties in the houses carried away by floods are estimated to be K200,000 worth, but fortunately, no lives were lost.”
He said disaster officers from Kundiawa-Gemobogl were yet to show up to assess the devastation caused by the flooding.
He said the affected people launched an appeal to Inaugl tribesmen around the country or any charity groups or organisations that wished to support the victims.
Nakai said massive destruction of roads, bridges and school and health infrastructure would cost the Government millions to restore.
Schools were temporarily closed and students were in the village.
Meanwhile, flooding destroyed a tourist nature park and a cemetery at Bogokawa area in Kerowagi, Chimbu, said park operator John Nilles.
Bogokawa communities in the north of Kerowagi district headquarters lost homes, gardens and domesticated animals.