Slim chances for rescue in Papua New Guinea landslide disaster
A devastating incident took place on Friday in a secluded area of an island country, the government declared. Over 2000 people from the village of Mulitaka, Enga province found themselves buried beneath a combination of massive rock chunks, uprooted trees, and layers of soil at least a meter thick. Few corpses have been retrieved thus far.
In the meantime, authorities are also worried about future landslides, as Mount Mungalo's slopes continue to slide, sending rocks, debris, and soil downhill. Provincial administrator Sandis Tsaka warned on Tuesday, "The disaster is escalating. The constant sound of rocks breaking is reminiscent of explosions or gunfire." To that end, officials intend to evacuate two districts comprising around 7900 residents, as per Tsaka's statements.
Yet, many residents resist leaving the affected zone, as they hold out hope of locating missing loved ones or friends. Relief workers are toiling to dig their way through the earth with shovels or wooden planks, while heavy machinery has yet to reach the isolated location.
Imagery from space reveals the sheer scale of the catastrophe. Striking images capture a 600-meter-long trail of yellow and gray debris amid lush green bushland. "This was once a thriving community filled with houses, stores, churches, and schools," noted Sandis Tsaka, the administrator. "Everything got annihilated. It looks like the moon's surface - nothing but rocks."
Meanwhile, worries are mounting for inhabitants of various villages to the west of the disaster zone, who have been cut off from external assistance due to the landslide. Nicholas Booth from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that as many as 30,000 people could be affected. They have enough provisions for several weeks, but the road must be opened up expeditiously.
Settled in the southwestern Pacific, Papua New Guinea experiences one of the wettest climates globally. Researchers suggest that climate change could induce variations in rainfall amounts, thereby increasing the chances of landslides.
Read also:
- This will change in December
- Dikes withstand water masses so far - Scholz holds out the prospect of help
- Fireworks and parties ring in 2024 - turn of the year overshadowed by conflicts
- Attacks on ships in the Red Sea: shipping companies avoid important trade route
- UNICEF has expressed concern over the landslide disaster in Papua New Guinea, stating that they are prepared to assist in the rescue operation if necessary.
- Despite the hard conditions, survivors from the village of Mulitaka in Enga province have held onto hope that more of their loved ones may still be buried beneath the debris.
- Due to the ongoing landslides, UNICEF and other relief organizations are barely able to reach the affected area, making a swift and effective rescue operation almost impossible.
- The UNICEF office in Papua New Guinea has pledged to provide support and resources to the affected communities and ensure the well-being of displaced children and families during this crisis.
Source: www.stern.de
