Schools forced to close

Main Stories, National
Source:

The National, Thursday 13th September, 2012

By JEFFREY ELAPA
TWO primary schools have been forced closed, while many people are going without food on the Nembi plateau area as a result of the recent flooding in Southern Highlands.
The Kapit and Upa primary schools, in the lower Nembi plateau, suspended classes after the classrooms and teachers’ houses were submerged by rising water after continuous rain in the area.
Kapit Primary School senior teacher Dominic Ipisai and Upa Primary School headmaster Mathew Diramu confirmed the destruction and suspension of classes.
Reports said several other schools and a health centre in the area would be affected if the bad weather continued as waters continued to rise.
Catholic education coordinator Daniel Beli said many schools in the province could be affected but the Catholic education office had yet to receive reports from all schools.
Nembi plateau president Timothy Pei said many gardens around the valley had been inundated, while the only usable Nembi plateau road was still submerged.
He said that cut off traffic and supplies to more than five primary schools, a health centre, mission station and stranding more than 10,000 people after the Emsa River flooded and covered Kapit and Upa .
Others in Pomberel have been affected by flooding in the area.
He said food gardens and cash crops were still under water and people who had gardens along the valley and the river banks would go hungry if they did not get relief supplies.
He said bad weather was continuing in the area and the province.