Brace yourselves, says NCD Governor

National Capital District Governor, Powes Parkop, is urging residents to brace themselves for the remaining wet weeks of this month until May, when dry weather is anticipated.

His call follows bad weather warning issued by the National Weather Service.

He said the wild weather recently had caused havoc along the streets, with flash floods spilling onto the roads, making it difficult for commuters.

Parkop also called on residents and corporate citizens to take responsibility and ownership of the drains and waterways near their homes and properties by clearing off blockages.

“This is so that flash floods can be absorbed adequately by the drains as initially designed.”

He warned residents to move away from power lines and poles, drainage reserves and trees during the wet season.

“In 5 years’ time we should brace for the possibility of a cyclone hitting the city for the first time based on recent cyclone patterns.

“Over last 20 years the cyclone that has been hitting Australia is moving north all the time with the latest this year hitting Cape York Peninsula,” stated the Governor.

“If it continues this northward trend, we can see one in five years’ time. We must, therefore, prepare for the extreme weather which we have been spared in our entire history. We must not only build all infrastructure to be resilient, but also major drainages that can clear water run off efficiently, so we avoid major floods in the future.”

He added that they should also have alternate sources of electricity and firewood kitchens, as electricity blackouts are imminent during the wet season.

Governor Parkop extended his warning to parents and guardians to closely watch their children during the season.

Parkop commended the volunteers under the Active City Development Program for making sure streets, roads, Ela Beach sea fronts, Boroko and other parts of the city are clean, safe and healthy despite the heaps of debris created by the wet season.

He wants such an effort multiplied for the betterment and cleanliness of the city.

(Downtown Port Moresby early this month)

Author: 
Press Release