Water problems hit thousands in Mendi

By JAMES GUMUNO
THOUSANDS of people living in Mendi, Southern Highlands, are facing water problems after last week’s strong earthquake damaged tanks and contaminated other sources.
Acting provincial administrator Thomas Eluh, pictured, told The National in Mendi on Friday that town residents were looking for clean and safe water for drinking and cooking.
He said small creeks and rivers near Mendi town were polluted and posed a health hazard.
Eluh said many public servants’ tanks were destroyed, including the Southern Cross tank installed for the six-storey Agiru Centre.
He said businesshouses and people living in town who depended on tank water were being badly affected.
“We do not have water supply connected to all the residential areas, government offices, stores, restaurants, hospital, schools, and others buildings within the city,” he said.
Eluh said only a few tanks remained standing, the others had either crashed, tilted over or damaged.
“We are now running into Magani River, it’s flowing with dirt and carrying debris from the source,” he said.
Eluh said that it was making the lives of the public servants even more difficult while they engaged in the disaster work.
“I feel sorry for public servants as well as others living in Mendi town, this is really an extra burden to us,” he said.
Eluh said that all public servants working in the provincial headquarters and districts have been stood down from their normal public service duties.
“I am mobilising all my manpower and using them in the disaster work until further notice to resume their duties,” he said.
He said about 150 working in the provincial headquarters and about 600 working in the five districts were visiting the affected areas and would report back to their respective chief executives.
Eluh said chief executives were part of the provincial disaster committee and they reported to the provincial disaster command centre.