One missing as flash flood causes havoc

 A WOMAN was reportedly washed away on Thursday as the Kapao River in Memyamya, Morobe, burst its banks.
Heavy rain and strong winds damaged homes, food gardens and coffee plantations near villages in the Kapao local level government.
Kapao LLG president and provincial chairman for health, Jackty Yotipo said the villagers reported the missing woman and said there could be other casualties.
“A woman was reported to being washed away in the flood but we don’t know the exact casualty and the damage caused. The people are still searching for those missing,” Yotipo said.
“An elementary school teacher who came to Lae with me said his house was washed away.”
He requested assistance from the provincial disaster and emergency services and the Morobe provincial administration.
He has notified Menyamya MP Benjamin Philip of the disaster.
Director of the Morobe disaster and emergency services Charlie Masange said public servants on the ground should be conducting initial assessments and providing situation reports.
“The LLG manager should check and make assessments and submit reports citing the severity of the disaster and the needs of the affected people. There are administration processes to follow,” Masange said.
He said in most cases, the people gave wrong information when doing assessments.