24 Apr 2014

Normalcy returns in Bougainville after big quakes

7:29 pm on 24 April 2014

Life is returning to normal in Papua New Guinea's south Bougainville after a series of severe earthquakes, but an estimated 100 families have been made homeless.

The tremors over the past two weekends claimed two lives, destroyed a number of traditional houses, a church building and a school.

Slips also wrecked roads and spilt debris over food gardens.

The quakes triggered concerns about tsunamis, prompting officials to advise people to seek higher ground.

The province's disaster and emergency services manager, Franklin Lacey, says there has been no seismic activity in the past day or so and people are now home.

He says a team is preparing to travel to the worst hit towns - Torokina, Siwai and Buin, taking basic building materials and tarpaulins for the homeless families.

Mr Lacey says they also want to check out the emissions from the Biun volcano, Mt Loloru.

"We haven't had a closer look. We are trying to get over there and get somebody up on the mountain to tell us what's happening."

Franklin Lacey in Bougainville.