Papua New Guinea – Deadly Landslide in Chimbu Province

At least 10 people have died after more heavy rain caused damage and destruction in Papua New Guinea.

Local media in Papua New Guinea report that heavy rain triggered landslides in Kundiawa-Gembogl District, Chimbu Province, early on 10 April 2020.

Areas of Kegesuglo are the worst affected, where a landslide destroyed homes, churches, food gardens, livestock and fish farms. At least 10 people are thought to have died in the disaster.

Heavy rain has caused floods and landslides in several provinces of the country over the last few weeks.

As many as 60,000 people have been affected by flooding in 9 Local Level Government (LLG) areas of Gulf Province, including the provincial capital, Kerema, since March.

In early April, around 1,000 people were affected by flooding in areas of Lae in Morobe Province and nearly 500 homes were damaged or destroyed by flooding from the Zokozoi River in the Nupaha area of North Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.

In March, flooding hit areas of Chimbu Province, where around 700 people were displaced. Days earlier, a massive landslide struck in Tambul-Nebilyer district, in neighbouring Western Highlands Province, where at least 10 people died.