Floods hit Kuare

 MORE than 3000 people in the Kuare local level government in the Kagua-Erave district, Southern Highlands, are affected after the Kuare River was blocked, resulting in the formation of a big lake.

The lake covers a Catholic Church building, nine houses and food gardens belonging to the people living at the border of Pangia district.

The river, which flows into a cave near Kuare primary school and joins with Yalo River, was blocked by debris three weeks ago, as a result of continuous rain in the district for the past seven weeks.

The road connecting Kagua to Erave from Ialibu and was covered by the lake, forcing traffic to come to a standstill. 

The district was completely cut off of goods and services.

Provincial coordinator for disaster and emergency service, Martin Pat told local MP James Lagea and media personnel during a visit to some of the affected areas of the electorate on Sunday that between 35,000-40,000 people were affected by the floods and landslips.

Pat said that majority of the people affected were from Kagua-Erave electorate.

He said that some areas covered by floods include Kuare station, Karape village, Batri, Kalat, Erave Catholic mission.

He said some villages affected by landslips include Mapuranda and Limba in Kagua. 

Pat said due to bad weather he could not fly relief supplies into the affected areas of Wapusalle, Mt Kusa, Kele 1 and 2.

He said his office had already provided relief supplies to the people of Kuare, Kaluwe, Walu, Wapi and Pinj-Komb.

Pat said the National Disaster and Emergency office helped with K200,000 to carry out an assessment and help the victims.