8 Dec 2009

Extent of PGN Oro flooding still unclear

4:09 pm on 8 December 2009

It's still unclear how many people in Papua New Guinea's Oro province have been affected by last week's flooding.

Some media reports says up to 10,000 people in the flooded zone need urgent assistance, such as food or temporary shelter.

But the National Disaster Management Office's acting director, Martin Mose, is questioning that figure.

"We're yet to get more information on the actual number of people affected. The province has dispatched four teams to go and assess the situation, but most of the teams have not come back yet. Once they do come back they will give us the actual number after validating those claims."

Martin Mose

There is one key bridge that has been wrecked, forcing the provincial government to create a temporary alternative route.

There are no reports of people hurt in the flooding.

Two years ago severe flooding in Oro claimed dozens of lives.