Eruption 2019

Over 10,000 displaced

Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Sasindran Muthuvel, revealed this as temporary relief supplies were organised for locals already displaced.

Muthuvel said the eruption on June 26th caused distress and displaced people in Ulamona and Noau villages, and the estates of Ubili, Navo and Sabalbal.

“It is a challenging time for us in WNB, but together we will overcome and proud to see our 8 million brothers and sisters out there worried about us and doing everything to help us,” stated Muthuvel.

Second volcanic eruption disrupts flights

Manam is the second volcano to have erupted just days after the eruption of Mt Ulawun in West New Britain.

There will be no aircraft overnight in Madang this weekend while PX 112 on Saturday and Sunday will be rescheduled to the following day.

Hoskins aerodrome meanwhile is still closed for airline operations. Air Niugini has retimed and re-routed all Hoskins flights for this weekend via Rabaul and Lae. National Airports Corporation (NAC) has commenced removing the ash from the runway and taxiways but this will take some time.

PX suspends Hoskins flights

As a precaution, Air Niugini has suspended this afternoon’s and tomorrow morning’s flights.

In a statement, the airline said: “A risk assessment will be carried out tomorrow, Thursday morning, to determine if flights shall resume or not.

“All passengers traveling to and from Hoskins are advised to call flight information number 327 3300 after 09:00 tomorrow morning to check on the status of the Hoskins flights.