Kikori floods leave scores homeless

By CALDRON LAEPA
ABOUT four schools are under water and more than 100 people homeless after continuous flooding caused by heavy rains in the hinterland of Kikori, Gulf, destroyed homes and schools.
Gulf provincial disaster coordinator Jerry Hape said there had been heavy rain since June in the hinterlands of Kikori, causing flooding in Kopi, Haivaro, Komaio and Kuri.
Hape said from reports received from his officers on the ground, it was still flooding in those areas.
He said there had been deaths but could not confirm the number or how many were missing.
“It is very difficult to get into the area and carry out assessments by plane or dinghy, which are the only means into the area, apart from helicopters.
“The river current is too strong and logs and debris are rushing down with the current.
“We cannot travel on a plane because the airstrip is covered by water. The only option is to do an aerial survey with a helicopter.
“I have been told that about 200 people have been relocated by Oil Search to a safer place.
“I don’t know where exactly these people have been relocated to because I have not travelled to the area due to logistic and financial constraints,” Hape said.
The provincial disaster officer on the ground, Ilau Maikere, could not be reached for comment.
Hape said he was in Port Moresby last week to present a report to the Red Cross and National Disaster officer on the status of the flood.
He said he could not secure funding and help from the National Disaster office because his costs to carry out the survey exceeded their budget.
He said he was directed by the National Disaster Office to have the provincial government and administration do a preliminary report on the disaster.
He said he would advise provincial administrator Marc Avai to seek funding from the provincial government to carry out an urgent survey by helicopter.