More than 500 families in Morobe’s Markham District are picking up the pieces after flash floods destroyed homes, food gardens, cocoa fermentaries, and a local primary school.
The flooding lasted three days and swept through villages near the Yati River, including Bicidi, Lusples, Nawatrai, Badarian, Yonki, Rope, Baniscow and Sakarak.
Mr. Abraham Minzim from Ragiampun village said families were caught off guard.
“It happened so fast. Everything was washed away — our gardens, cocoa trees, even the fermentary houses,” he said.
The flood also damaged Ragiampun SDA Primary School, disrupting learning for over 500 students.
So far, no relief has reached the area. Community leaders have appealed for help from the Provincial Disaster Office.
“We’re in need of food, clean drinking water, and shelter,” Minzim said. “People are struggling.”
Locals say they urgently need support to recover and rebuild.