Locals struggle after heavy rain leaves Aitape under water

The National National
St Ignatius Secondary School during the recent flooding in Aitape, West Sepik.

By YVONNE KAMBIBEL
FLOODING has affected parts of Aitape in West Sepik after heavy rain in the district last Sunday, a district official says.
Aitape officer Philip Nasi Junior said food gardens, hospitals, schools, houses and roads had been affected by the flood.
Nasi told The National that a team from the district administration had been sent out to communities within the town area and nearby settlements to conduct assessments on the damage caused by the flood.
“Raihu Hospital, including St Ignatius Secondary School and all the neighbouring settlements surrounding Raihu River, were greatly affected,” he said.
Nasi said based on initial reports received by his office, continuous heavy rainfall into the early hours last Sunday morning had caused the Raihu River to flood, forcing the excess water to overflow onto the roads and into the hospital and school buildings.

The interior of a building at the school.The floor of the building was completely covered with flood water.

“Based on the same report, the water level remained very high from 6am until 3pm on Sunday,” he said.
Patients who were admitted at the hospital had biscuits for dinner, according to Nasi, as the hospital was unable to prepare proper meals after the hospital’s kitchen area was flooded.
Nasi said the hospital’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) testing facilities were also affected by the flood.
He said families in settlements along the river had lost their gardens which was their main source of food.

A house being washed away during the recent flooding in Aitape, West Sepik.

“Natural water holes have also been destroyed by the flood so families who depend on these natural water sources will have to fetch water for cooking and bathing elsewhere,” he said.
Nasi said the district administrator and local MP Patrick Pruaitch had requested for an assessment to be conducted immediately so that the reports could be submitted to their respective offices.
He said they had received reports that villages outside of Aitape town were also affected and once the assessment report for the town area was completed and submitted to the authorities for a recovery plan, he would visit these villages to assess them.