Madang residents on high alert for Tsunami

A tugboat told to anchored outside the Madang harbour after it was told by PNG Ports to vacate the port area (NBC News)

Residents of Madang Town were on high alert yesterday following the Tsunami Alert issued by the Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazard Management.

Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, as soon as receiving the report immediately sent the same notice to NBC Madang to air for the general public to take heed of.

However; even before the local radio station could start broadcasting the warning, most people in town were already preparing to move to higher grounds.

At the Coastwatchers Lighthouse at Kalibobo, a few people sat and stood around watching the sea level for any possible changes.

Outside the Godowan passage, two tug boats; belonging to Pacifc Towing anchored after receiving advice from the PNG Port authorities in Madang to vacate the port area.

NBC News caught up with Marine Pilot, Captain Mathew Kolam, who was amongst the few town residents who were at the seafront watching out for any changes to the sea level, explained the tugboats were moved out of the port for safety reasons.

Meanwhile, along the north coast of Madang, reports were received by NBC News last night of people moving inland to avoid anything catastrophic.