Rain damages roads and halts business

CONTINUOUS rain has damaged roads and forced businesses in Bulolo to close – causing losses of more than K15 million.
Bulolo MP Sam Basil said continuous rain in the past two months has forced businesses –  including the mining operations in the area – to close for more than five days.
The rain affected many villagers and commuters in their daily travelling.
The rain which started in December had washed away portions of roads.
He said the Kumalu river has caused disruptions to traffic along the Lae-Wau highway and has affected major businesses such as the Hidden Valley Gold mine, the PNG Forest Products, Numingco mine and Zenag Chicken.
Other small and medium scale businesses have also been affected by the closure of the road.
He said debris carried down by the Kumalu river caused the blockage of the Snake river. This further contributed to the flooding of food gardens and homes at Patep No 1 and Zamunganga villages which have a population of 2,000 people.
Basil said the Kumalu, Snake, Bulolo, Baiune and Watut rivers wreaked havoc among the communities.
The Kumalu section of the road is important because of the major economic activities in the Bulolo economic corridor.
He said that in 2005 and 2006, the flooded Kumalu River carried rocks, mud and sediments which covered the entire Mumeng LLG station, plus the Kumalu section of the road.