Landslides

Markham DDA yet to aid landslide survivors

A landslide occurred at Umbaku, in Leron-Wantoat, at 5am on Friday, December 29th, 2023, killing three people while a young man is still missing. An unconfirmed number of people were also injured.

Houses were destroyed, food and cash crop gardens buried and water sources contaminated. 

Officers from the Morobe Provincial Disaster Office provided K2,000 worth of food supplies and shelter to Matap on Wednesday, January 3rd, while the Markham District Development Authority is yet to visit the affected area. 

Continuous rainfall causes landslides

Director of Kumura Foundation, Vincent Kumura, said the foundation, under its community service focus, has partnered with two local SME owners to mobilise 49 youths to clear up the road.

“It took the boys almost two weeks to clear up just a pathway for the vehicle to pass through using chainsaws, digging sticks, crowbars, bush knives and spades,” said Kumura.

“The foundation is very thankful to Nelson Gandai of Yandera and David Mongoma of Simbu for mobilising their boys to work, including the 16 youths of Pomie Village of Upper Bundi.

Floods and landslides hit France and Italy

Named Alex, the storm brought fierce winds and torrential rain.

A number of villages north of Nice in France suffered serious damage from floods and landslides, with roads, bridges and homes destroyed.

In north-western Italy, flooding was described as "historic". A section of a bridge over the Sesia river collapsed.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex has deployed the army and released emergency funds to tackle the worst floods for decades in south-eastern France.

Up to 20 people are either missing or have not checked in with relatives.

Landslides block off Menyamya road

Landslides are affecting the far-flung district of Morobe Province, making travelling difficult.

A village leader at Angapena, Jack Joab, said a recent massive landslide has blocked off a number of roads, causing inconvenience to the travelling public.

“The rain has done a lot of damages to our only road into the district.”

Joab said though risky, vehicles had to navigate around the debris and continue on with their goods and passengers.

The bad weather has also delayed counting at the Menyamya by-elections at Menyamya station.

VIDEO: Landslides bury villages, kill at least 20

Nepal's National Emergency Operation Center said the landslide was triggered by heavy rainfall in the village at Lumle, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) west of Kathmandu, where rescuers have pulled out 14 bodies.

Continuing rain was hampering the rescue.

The highway linking the village with Pokhara, the main city in the region, was blocked at several places, delaying rescuers.