Essential goods run low in Kiunga as Fly River water levels drop

Essential goods in Kiunga are at risk as water levels on the Fly River have dropped during the prolonged dry spell, leaving cargo vessels unable to reach North Fly District safely.

The low river levels are disrupting barge movements into Kiunga and raising fears of shortages for food, fuel and basic household items across Western province.

The current dry spell has left the river too shallow for larger cargo vessels to navigate. Shops in Kiunga report that rice, tinned food, cooking oil, fuel and basic household items are already running low on shelves.

Kiunga depends almost entirely on the Fly River to bring in food, fuel and building materials. When water levels drop, transport costs rise and shipment delays pile up.

“If the dry conditions continue, we could see real scarcity in the next few weeks,” one shop owner said.

Weather forecasts indicate continued dry conditions, meaning Kiunga faces several challenging weeks ahead as river transport struggles and supply chains tighten. Past dry spells have hit the Fly River system hard, cutting off the main economic lifeline for communities in North Fly, Middle Fly and Delta Fly Districts.

Residents are being urged to conserve supplies, avoid panic buying, and keep reasonable household stocks. Community leaders are calling on authorities and businesses to track inventory closely and find alternative supply routes where possible.

Authorities have not yet announced emergency measures for the Fly River route.