Madang warned as strong winds and heavy rain hit

By DOROTHY MARK
MADANG residents have been warned to take extra care due to strong winds and heavy rain experienced in the township almost every night recently.
On Saturday, strong winds and heavy rain hit the coastline at Machine Gun Beach knocking down four power poles causing a 48-hour blackout in the area.
Guard Dog Security employee Joe Simon said he was in the area when the heavy rain and strong winds hit.
Simon said he heard a crackling sound from a nearby tree before it split in half and slammed into a fence.
The tree dragged down power lines along Coronation Drive.
PNG Power officers put up new power posts and restored power on Monday.
Madang also experienced a power outage early Tuesday morning when a main transmitter at Walium collapsed. Supply was restored at around 3pm.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has warned that the strong winds battering the province would continue for several weeks.
Madang’s acting director of the disaster and emergency office, Rudolf Mongallee said people living along the coast should take precautions against the strong winds.