Hundreds of people in Morobe Province left homeless after massive flood

A significant flood in Morobe Province has resulted in hundreds of people being displaced and now without homes.

The affected individuals are currently staying in temporary shelters or with friends and family as they await assistance.

The communities along the Busu River have been hit the hardest, with approximately eight settlement communities affected in total. Local authorities are collaborating with community leaders to address the situation.

The eight affected settlement communities are spread across the districts of Nawaeb to Lae, along the Busu River.

The heavy rains on the 23rd of August and the 6th of September caused widespread damage, resulting in the loss of houses, food gardens, and other properties.

The communities affected are Bonjo, Kero, Wadema, Poasang, Pepsi Compound, Busu Compound, 6 packs, and Las Kunai, as reported by Ahi LLG in Lae district.

Kepas Poang, a concerned landowner, is appealing to the youth not to take advantage of the situation by looting houses.

He has also called for understanding among the people to avoid spreading misinformation through social media.

Faro Nelson, another community leader, emphasized the immediate need to provide humanitarian assistance to those who have lost their homes and to work with authorities on future resettlement plans.

The affected people have been relocated to five care centers near their original sites. Efforts to get comments from the Morobe Provincial Disaster and Emergency Office have been unsuccessful.