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Relief Web, 2nd June 2018
Port Moresby, 30 May 2018 - Residents of Lae, Morobe Province will now benefit from more effective early warning of impending floods from the Bumbu River with the installation of the first of its kind early warning system in the river.
With more than 5000 people living along the Bumbu river, and vital social infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and the University of Technology, widespread destruction to lives and property have occurred during floods in past years.
This system will strengthen Papua New Guinea’s early warning of floods and improve the country’s disaster preparedness in the face of increasing climate-related disasters.
Following the installation of the equipment at the whole catchment of Bumbu River, a simulation exercise was conducted today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and the Government of Papua New Guinea.
Mr Samuel Maiha, Director of the National Weather Service said: “The simulation exercise is designed to ensure that all stakeholders are clear on their roles and responsibilities when the system issues a flood warning which will be sent out to key partners in Port Moresby as well as in Lae.”
