Mother, four kids killed in flood

 By FREDRICK JEJERI 

A PREGNANT mother and her four children were killed when floodwater caused destruction in Wau, Morobe in the early hours of last Thursday, according to the Lae Red Cross branch coordinator

Charley Wanjer, who is currently at the site, said flooding and land slips claimed six lives, and left almost 2000 people homeless.

All their food gardens and properties were damaged.

He said the families never saw the floodwater rushing down. 

The flood carried with it mud from landslides, accompanied by loud noise, destroying the home of the mother and her children. 

The water carried the house about 10 metres and left parts of it on top of a coconut tree.  

“The pregnant mother in her 40s, her husband and children were all inside the house when the incident happened.

 “The father later struggled through the mud until he reached a dry ground, while his wife and children were all washed away,” Wanjer said.

The flood destroyed 81 houses . 

“Members of the community at Mrs Booth settlement were then alerted. They contacted the Morobe provincial disaster coordinator Charley Masange for help on Friday morning.

“The pregnant mother and three of her children were discovered on Friday morning at around 10am at Pine Top village in Bulolo River, but the fourth child was still missing,” Wanjer said. 

He said the report was from rapid assessment reports and that he would provide further updates. 

Inspector Leo Kaikas of the Wau police station confirmed the matter and said they were working with the disaster committee and members of the communities.