Strong winds destroy homes

SEVERAL houses were destroyed and a number of trees uprooted in Popondetta and surrounding areas by strong winds on Monday night, official says.
Acting Oro provincial administrator Trevor Magei told The National that the storm started with a heavy downfall of rain on Monday evening with sudden strong winds lasting an hour (6pm to 7pm) causing havoc in the provincial capital.
“Old trees that had been as old as the town were literally uprooted and flung onto their sides,” Magei said.
“Fortunately there were no human casualties while in some areas of the town, parts of residential buildings were partially destroyed.
“In one area of town, bettel nuts fell on top of a ‘haus win’ and brought the building to ground, causing occupants to grab their children and scramble to safety.”
Magei said the occupants of the ‘haus win’ were all from Maisin in the Tufi local level government who were in town selling their tapa cloths and other wares.
“Apart from the destruction of billboards and vegetation, steel power poles were bent and fallen, causing total darkness in most parts of the town for more than two hours before power was restored.”
Chain saw operators were hired by the provincial administration to clear fallen trees and other debris.
Magei said the province had experienced major disasters in the recent past, residents in the provincial capital had been warned to be on alert and take precautions at home and when travelling.