Police urge people to move to safer ground

 POLICE in Jiwaka have warned people living near the Waghi River and at the foot of mountains to be prepared for flooding and landslides.

Provincial police commander Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop issued the warning yesterday as continuous rain pelted the province, causing the river to burst its banks. Tondop said it had been raining  for three weeks and it did not look like subsiding.

He said during the drought some people had relocated to near the river to have easy access to water. But the now the river is posing another risk. Tondop urged the people to take precautionary measures by moving to safe grounds with all their properties.

He said the risk of landslides was high.

“Natural disasters strike anytime without warning and people must learn from past experience and move to safer ground instead of risking their lives,” he said.

Tondop warned people to avoid crossing the flooded river on tubes or rafts.

Meanwhile, Chimbu police chief Superintendent Albert Beli also warned the people to be wary of natural disasters during the rainy season.

Provincial police commander Superintendent Albert Beli said the heavy downpour in the past couple of days had caused a lot of damage in the province.