King tide

Locals from the affected villages of Laraibina, Madina and Fissoa – along the Boluminsky Highway – and Lava and Tatau on Tatau Island, expressed frustration that they were not adequately advised about these changes in sea level. As a result, locals fled for their lives at around 2.30am on Monday, January 22^nd, when the waves surged through their homes, leaving destruction in its wake.

Locals expressed that prior communication would have prepared them to respond and mitigate the damages.

After a week-long of King Tide, almost 25 houses in Kukipi, Isapeape and Lese Avihara in East Kerema LLG have been swept away including the sub health centre in Lese Avihara.

Schools have been affected and houses have been removed as communities plan to relocate away from the beachfront.

Lese Avihara Community Health Worker, Josephine Sam said the medicines have been washed off the shelves and she is unable to attend to the patients coming from the community and three nearby villages.