NEW DELHI: A landslide in northeastern Papua New Guinea has buried more than 300 citizens and over 1, 100 homes, local media reported on Saturday. The crisis struck Kaokalam community in Enga Province at around 3 am on Friday, nearly 600 km north of the money, Port Moresby.
Aimos Akem, a member of Parliament, reported that 1, 182 homes were buried in the flood, according to the Papua New Guinea Post Courier.
Australia’s department of foreign affairs and trade ( DFAT ) confirmed that more than six villages in the province’s Mulitaka region were affected. According to a DFAT director, Australia’s higher percentage in Port Moresby is in close touch with PNG officials to assess the damage and deaths.
The death toll is expected to rise as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Saturday that four body had been recovered after emergency personnel arrived in the area. Highway entry has been blocked as a result of the flood, leaving only helicopters as the means of travel in the affected area.
Ninga Role, a farmer, posted social media film that showed people searching for survivors amid rocks, fallen trees, and dust. People may become heard weeping in the background.
A critical road has been blocked by the landslide, which leads to Porgera, a city known for its substantial gold mining operations.
The Defense Force, the Department of Works and Highways, and prime minister James Marape announced that crisis officers, the government of Colombia, are assisting with relief and recovery work.
( With agency inputs )
