Fresh warnings of high seas in Morobe
Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:00pm
The Morobe Provincial Disaster Office has issued fresh warnings of
high tides along coastal villages in the province.
The tides are expected in the new year and people are warned to move
to higher grounds.
Meanwhile the Provincial Disaster Office has shipped the first batch
of supplies to people affected by the recent high seas.
Morobe Disaster Director Roy Kamen said the king tides are expected
to strike Morobe’s coastline beginning January 7th, 2009.
He said the areas to be affected are from all the coastal areas in
the districts of Tewai Siassi, Finschhafen, Lae and Huon Gulf.
Mr Kamen said communities along these areas would expect to see high
seas from king tides in the month of January from the 7th to the 14th
next year.
He said the tides would rise as high as 1.5m to 2.5m and would also
be experienced in other maritime provinces in the country.
As the warning went out, the first batch of relief supplies for those
affected by the recent high seas in Tewai -Siassi left Lae midday
yesterday.
Lutheran Shipping's MV Zibang shipped supplies of tarpaulins, water
containers, rice bags and nails provided by Provincial Disaster Office.
The Member for Tewai Siassi Vincent Michael, who spent the last two
weeks visiting the affected areas, said many people were without food,
drinking water and shelter.
More than 240 homes on the coastline of Wasu and Siassi Local Level
Governments have been washed away by the high seas early this month.
Wasu, which is on the mainland suffered major damages mainly in the
Sio area.
On Siassi Island, more than 30 houses were destroyed at Tolokiwa
Island and Tul village.
Relief in East Sepik
Relief and restoration work in East Sepik started at the weekend with
the first lot of relief supplies distributed to those badly affected
in Wewak town from the recent high seas.
Provincial Disaster officials have engaged various sectors of
government and police to help in the distribution of supplies.
The relief work was also extended to the east and west coast areas
and lower Angoram.
But there are complaints that not enough supplies and food is
reaching some people. |
