People experiencing natural disasters because of climate change: Official

PEOPLE will continue to experience natural disasters because of climate change, Western Highlands disaster coordinator Robin Yakamb says.
Yakamb was at Marapana in the Mul-Baiyer electorate where at least three bodies have been recovered while the search continued for others who went missing when floodwaters swept through the village on Monday.
He said the disaster at Marapana caused by the River Kuma was shocking because it was small river which no one believed could cause so much damage.
“Climate change is becoming a major issue right now around world and we won’t be surprised if more lives are lost in such disasters,” he said.
He said lives and properties were at risk because of the impact of climate change.
“This is a wakeup call and we have to be prepared and know what we should do when natural disaster strikes,” he said.
Yakamb said it was sad that children were among the dead and those still missing.
Villagers are still searching for their bodies downstream.
Yakamb said he was preparing a report to be submitted to the government.