Karkar islanders appeal to local MP to secure water supply ahead of El Nino
With the anticipated impacts of the upcoming El Nino, the people of Kaul in North Karkar LLG of Sumkar District, Madang Province have taken proactive steps to strengthen water security by revisiting the long-outstanding Kaul Bore Water Project.
Under the leadership of Councilor Danny Joseph, and with the support of the Madang Provincial Government, a technical survey team has commenced site assessments on the island.
The survey at Kaul Village was successfully completed last Friday; marking the first stage of this critical intervention.
Councilor Joseph has made a strong appeal to the Sumkar District Development Authority (SDDA) to immediately release the road maintenance plant to restore access to the drilling site.
The team will continue surveying other proposed locations across the island over the coming days before final technical analysis is undertaken and the drill rig is mobilised to commence bore drilling.
However, the success of this life-saving project now depends on urgent intervention by the relevant authorities.
The preferred route is the Mapor–Kaul Road, as its rehabilitation will not only enable the truck- mounted drilling rig to reach the site safely but will also restore an important public transport link for surrounding communities while they await the scheduled feeder roads maintenance program.
The alternative Digicel track through Kulili Plantation remains an option, but the Mapor–Kaul Road offers far greater long- term public benefit.
At the same time, the Councilor is appealing to the Sumkar District Administration and the North Karkar LLG to urgently provide a diesel water pump and sufficient fuel to reactivate the existing bore.
This simple but critical intervention would allow water to be pumped into storage tanks and distributed immediately to communities already experiencing increasing water stress.
This emergency water supply would directly benefit residents of Ward 6 [Narer], Ward 7 [Orora and Urugen], Ward 11 [Sangana], Ward 12 [Kaul 1 & 2], and Ward 13 [Kaul 3].
It would also provide much- needed water security for key educational institutions, including Narer, Urugen, Taleng, plus Bumsol and Dor primary and junior high schools.
Meanwhile, Tony Dibul, a community leader on the island said, "At present, the people of Kaul and Sangana continue to rely on the existing bore, while many others are forced to fetch water from the Taraga and Wakunum Creeks.
"With El Nino expected to reduce water availability even further, these natural sources may become unreliable or insufficient.
"The people of North Karkar have demonstrated initiative and commitment. The technical survey is underway.
"The communities are ready. What is now required is an equally urgent response from the responsible authorities. "
The appeal is clear, and that is for the Sumkar DDA to immediately deploy road maintenance equipment to restore the Mapor–Kaul Road, for the District Administration and North Karkar LLG to urgently supply a diesel water pump and fuel to reactivate the existing bore, for all stakeholders to prioritise the Kaul Bore Water Project as a critical disaster preparedness initiative before the full impacts of El Niño are felt.
Dibul stressed, "Water is life. Acting today will protect lives, safeguard education, and strengthen the resilience of North Karkar communities against the impending drought."