Surinki sitting on a ‘time bomb’

 By PETER ESOP WARI

AN outlet to a lake in Enga was blocked by a landslide causing widespread flooding which damaged food gardens and killed hundreds of pigs.

The landslide at Surinki in the Laigam-Porgera district is about 50m wide and 15m deep, allowing only a small amount of water to drain out.

Lake Ivae is a few kilometres from the national highway. 

It is feared that the flooding could reach the highway if nothing is done to drain the water.

The people however are divided on what should be done by the government to fix the problem.

Some want the landslide cleared to allow water out. Others fear that if the landslide is cleared, the force of water could damage homes and gardens downstream.

The people’s greatest fear is the safety of four Bailey bridges and properties downstream.

They also believed the lake had a traditional significance for them and if the landslide was removed, something terrible could happen to them.

The landslide occurred on April 25 and the water level at the lake has been gradually rising to cover about 100m of land around the lake. Rivers flowing into the lake are Muiro, Ayok, Tune, Kuir and Tulei and creeks. 

The outlet is the Kapup river which has the four Bailey bridges downstream.

Bishop of the Good News Lutheran Church Terry Kome said fortunately no lives were lost as no one lived near the lake.

Saul Aeyo, a village chief, said people were afraid to remove the landslide, fearing further disaster.

Leok Saul, a community leader, said an attempt by the provincial government to clear the blockade was stopped by the people who feared it would destroy properties and people downstream.

“The national disaster office needs to send a team immediately to assess the situation and find solutions to drain the water out,” he said.

“Since the landslide, we have not received any rain and it would be very dangerous if rain falls.”

He said the Yul, Kunalin, Aikane, Livinlakaip, Yolo and Wetin tribes had already moved to higher grounds.

Attempts to obtain comment from the Enga disaster office were unsuccessful.