Villages cut after continuous rain caused floods, landslides

By LULU MARK
Continuous rain resulting in flooding caused havoc in villages around Goroka, Eastern Highlands.
Community leader from Nagamiufa village, Pio Peter said the big Zogi River, small creeks and streams that run through the village were flooded over the weekend.
Peter told The National yesterday that the only road that linked Nagamiufa village and Goroka town was cut off on Saturday as a result of the flooding of Lisapeka Creek.
He said the creek ran from the Kakaruk Market to Asariufa village and Nagamiufa where it flowed into the Zogi River.
“During the wet season, most of the drain water from Goroka town is deposited into this creek,” Peter said.
“This time the flood caused a landslide which destroyed the bridge.”
Peter said the village’s main water supply pipe was broken as well.
“The village has a population of around 3,000 people which is made up of locals, settlers and public servants and private-sector workers that rent accommodation there,” he said.
“It is impossible for vehicles to drive across (now).
“We have built a temporary bamboo bridge for people to walk across.
“Because of the state of emergency lockdown we were not able to go into town and report this to the authorities,” Peter said. “We are calling on our governor to look into this and fix the road as the Goroka district does not have an MP at the moment.
He said the Zogi River was flooded last month and was reported in The National which had helped in creating awareness on the dangers associated with rain and floods.