Hundreds lose homes in Hagen river flood

 HUNDREDS of people from Komkui, Mt Hagen, lost homes, food gardens and domestic animals in an early-morning flood yesterday.

At least seven houses were destroyed, four submerged in water and three had water seeping through the walls when the Kum River swelled and burst its banks at about 6am.

The Komkui people living at Dobel were the worst affected.

Many families escaped to higher ground as water started flowing into homes and food gardens.

Locals said they had not experienced such flooding before.

Daniel Kuli described it as one of the “most dangerous floods”.

He said it took them by surprise. “Our children and elderly people could have been swept away but we managed to help them to higher ground.

“This is a threat and we fear worse to come because of the constant rain,” Kuli said.

He said some people did not have house or food gardens now.

Kuli said the villagers were appealing for help from the  provincial disaster office.

He said many natural disasters would affect people because of changes to the weather patterns.

Kuli said school children and many people were forced to stay home. “I believe that this flood will continue.”