Rukum River rages, destroys coffee, crops

By ELIAS LARI
ABOUT four hectares of matured coffee trees and food crops were destroyed by flood in the Dei electorate of Western Highlands last Tuesday.
Flooding occurred at around 9pm following continuous heavy rain in the province.
At least 14 families and matured coffee trees belonging to the Kamakai Coffee Project at Raima village in Tiki, Mulglamp local level government, were affected.
Alphonse Seiyaka, from the Kamakai Coffee Project, said it was the first time rocks were seen being swept into the coffee plots and food gardens by the floods when Rukum River broke its banks.
“We were surprised to see rocks in our food gardens and we will need excavators to remove them,” he said.
He said flooding was becoming common because of continuous heavy rain in the province.