Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

PNG again warned about tidal surges

Posted at 01:42 on 08 January, 2009 UTC

Papua New Guinea’s weather service has issued high risk warnings of continuous severe sea swells causing tidal surges, similar to those experienced last month.

Thousands of people were affected, and one child died, as a result of tidal surges in New Ireland Province, Manus, Bougainville, East and West Sepik and parts of Madang.

The National Weather Service acting director Simon Maiha told the newspaper, The National, the warnings were particularly for the Momase and New Guinea Islands regions.

Mr Maiha says while the situation has subsided, coastal communities must still take precautions.

He says indications were that repeat hits could be experienced at locations where the waves struck last month.

Mr Maiha says the waters south of New Britain and over Guam have risen by more than 20cm.