23 Aug 2002

Bougainville suffering growing water shortage

3:51 pm on 23 August 2002

Most schools in the Papua New Guinea region of North Bougainville have been holding half-day classes because of major water problems.

Many villages in Bougainville are suffering from the dry weather as there is not enough water.

Earlier this week the Weather Service in Port Moresby warned that island communities would experience a six-month dry period, more severe than the 1997 drought.

The Post Courier has reported that several schools in North Bougainville have begun sending pupils home because there is no drinking water.