Leader: Be wary of Waghi River

By JAMES APA GUMUNO
PEOPLE living along the Waghi River, Jiwaka, have been urged to take precautions when crossing it.
A community leader from Waghi Wel, Pit Komb issued the warning after a man drowned two weeks ago while crossing it on a raft.
The decomposed body of Kusumb Yalga, 50, originally from Nebilyer district but living in Rom village, was found last Thursday at Waghi Coffee, Anglimp district, Jiwaka province.
He was crossing the river on his raft after dropping off a friend on the other side. He fell into the river and was swept away by the strong current.
A boy who saw the incident alerted communities living nearby and a search was conducted.
A settler from Wabag, Enga province who found his body last Thursday alerted his relatives and tribesmen who took it to his Pinta village for burial.
Komb said yesterday many people living near the Waghi River had drowned in a similar fashion and urged people to take precautions when crossing the river.
He said it was not safe to cross the river on rafts when the Waghi bursts its banks.
Komb said the bodies of many people who drowned had never been recovered.
 He also advised people not to build houses near the banks.