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By DAVID TERRY and ISAAC NICHOLAS
AT least six people have died and thousands of others left homeless in Oro province as heavy rain and flood waters destroyed seven bridges, food gardens and water supply.
Reports suggest that the Oro province is in total chaos due to continuous heavy rain and storms resulting in flooded food gardens and homes, and rough seas along the coastlines.
There was one confirmed death at Sakarina, according to initial brief from acting provincial administrator Paul Namono and police late yesterday reported five unconfirmed deaths in Afore.
Seven bridges including the main Girua bridge linking Popondetta town to Girua airport and Oro Bay had been swept away by flooded waters.
The Girua airport was also shut down with all flights to Popondetta cancelled because of heavy flooding.
The towns water supply dam was also reportedly wrecked by the flooding forcing the provincial water board to turn off water supply to the towns residences and business houses. This leaves them without any safe drinking water.
Six houses in Uiaku village in Tufi district were swept away and up to 2,000 people in Tufi, Wanigela, Sinei, Berobona, Ako and Gobe areas were reportedly displaced due to continuous flooding from the heavy rains over the past three days and rising sea levels.
Killerton village in the Ijivitari electorate is reportedly submerged in water and villagers have sought refuge at the Bagou community school.
The other areas of Gona, Bakubari, Katuna and Ambasi in the north coast area are also affected. And at least three bridges linking the town with Girua Airport and Oro Bay were destroyed as flood waters continue to swell washing away roads and cutting off fuel and food supplies normally transported from the Oro Bay main wharf into Popondetta.
Provincial education authorities were also forced to evacuate about 120 boarding students from Embogo High School to higher grounds at Kararata village, while most schools in the province remained closed.
According to provincial authorities, the swelling Manau, Gira and Mamba rivers have uprooted banana trees and other forms of food sources and thousands of people may face starvation if the situation worsens in the coming days.
The Double Cross Bridge linking the Higaturu Oil Palm factory, and Kokoda with Popondetta was also destroyed as sections of the highway in Damahu between Girua and Popondetta town were also washed away.
Commuters from Oro Bay to Popondetta and those traveling from Popondetta towards Girua Airport and Oro Bay were stranded on both sides as the Girua River continued to swell carrying with it debris and anything in its way towards the coast.
The transportation of huge volumes of crude Oil from Higaturu Oil Palm company to the main wharf is also affected.
Residents buying goods in bulk and storing them also fear business houses may charge exorbitant fees for the price of basic goods such as rice, floor, canned food, frozen meat and fuel if the bridges are not repaired quickly.
The initial cost of relief, logistics and temporary replacement bridges had been put at K530 000, with the cost expect to rise when the full damage assessment is done.
Ijivitari MP David Arore who is coordinating relief efforts, said last night that the main items needed now was water, food and clothing.
Works, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Don Polye, Inter Government Relations Minister Job Pomat, Oro Governor Suckling Tamanabae, Mr Arore, Sohe MP Anthony Nene and disaster officials will be flying into Popondetta this morning to assess the situation.
A temporary relief coordinating office has been set up at his Parliament office and those wishing to assist or to get more information should contact his office on 3277671.
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