With the National Weather Office forecasting rains in most places in the country rural folks are advised to take extra precaution when going out to gardens and far places in their environs which poses danger.
A senior officer with the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority Gabriel Luluaki pointed during a field visit to the hinterlands of Madang last weekend.
He said rural folks must be extra careful walking along pathways closer to river banks flooded creeks or at the side of steep hills and mountains。 This is to avoid being swept away by flood or by landslips.
“With the continuous rains， the soil maybe be soaky and can sink or fall and hurt or kill people.
“Flooded rivers and creeks are also dangerous so don’t go near to the banks” Luluaki said.
The senior CEPA officer’s warning was issued last weekend upon noticing a group of women and children following a narrow pathway and crossing a flooded creek at Iguruwe in ward 17 of Usino LLG in Madang province.
The women had to follow a narrow pathway after floods had washed away the track they used.
He also warned that villagers should not be going to the gardens near high mountains alone. They have to go in groups. Moreover, if there are cracks in the soil near any place near their gardens, they must avoid it by placing signs to warn other villagers.
Picture: Nadasha Lemak jumps over a flood creek with daughter Natalie。 Picture by James G。 Kila