By Theckla Gunga – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea National Weather Service has issued warnings of continued strong winds to be experienced in Manus Province including islands west of Bismarck Sea. Additional warnings have been given to all small boat operators to take necessary precautions before going out at sea.
The strong wind warnings comes with high caution for increased sea levels on low lying islands with high chances of rough seas. These strong winds are expected to persist for the next 24 hours reaching a speed of 25 to 34 knots.
When strong wind warnings were issued in the beginning this month, three deaths were reported in Manus and one in Central province. In Manus a banana boat carrying 30 passengers capsised between Lorengau and Pityluh killing three children.
In Central, a man and his wife went fishing during the strong winds and the man was washed away by strong currents. His relatives in Porebada village in the Kairiku Hiri District set up a search party but were not able to locate the victim in the first 48 hours.
PNG National Weather Service predicts that these winds will continue into April.
