Rain damages bridge, 500 villagers cut off

CONTINUOUS rainfall in the highlands region has damaged roads and bridges affecting the movement of people and cargo.
A bridge at Kunjipip River in Kwia, Wapenamanda electorate in Enga was washed away a fortnight ago when the stone baskets laid as its foundation were damaged.
Langilam Minata, a local from the area, said the movement of more than 500 people who used the bridge had been affected since its collapse two weeks ago.
The bridge is an important transport link for them.
“The collapse of the bridge is affecting us in doing our daily business and it’s good that we are assisted by relevant authorities to have the bridge replaced,” he said.
He said access to five elementary schools and an aid post had been cut off.
He appealed to his local MP Miki Kaeok and Enga provincial government to replace the bridge.