Villagers displaced after flood destroys homes

By JAMES GUMUNO
MORE than 500 villagers had their homes damaged when a nearby river burst its banks and flooded the village.
The villagers of Waghi Peng in Hagen Central, Western Highlands, are looking for a new location for their village after the Waghi River caused havoc on Thursday night.
“We can’t even get inside our houses to remove our belongings,” villager Tom Kipan said.
“The current is strong and making it hard for us.” He said the road leading to the village was under water.
The area has been experiencing heavy rainfall recently.
The villagers from the Monamb clan of the Pinambe tribe are seeking refuge with the neighbouring Elti and Pinambe Aklimb clansmen.
Kipan said two churches, 50 homes and five trade stores were destroyed. Power supply to the village and Baisu Primary School were cut off.
He and fellow villager Joseph Mark said the river also damaged food gardens and coffee farms.
Villagers also lost at least 50 pigs during the flooding. Stranded at the village are 10 workers and 30 students attending Kui Wamp High, Hagen Park and Hagen Secondary schools.
Mark urged provincial and national disaster and emergency officers to visit the villages to assess the damage.
“It’s not the flood. It’s the new course the river has taken right through the village that is affecting us now,” he said.