by Edwin FIdelis – EM TV, Kokopo
The main Warangoi bridge, leading into Pomio district, collapsed early this morning following yesterdays quake.
The bridge is the main link connecting Pomio district, with provincial capital Kokopo. The entire population of Pomio are cut off.
Their access over to the either side depands on the floods caused by frequent rains. If it rains again this afternoon, it will be impassable.
Rabaul district alone has a disaster plan while East New Britain doesn’t have one.
The district called for an estimated K3 million to fix emergency exit routes. Several emergency escape routes have crumbled.
Heavy rains and floods over the past two months have caused the roads to fall apart.
Ima Itikarai, Head Volcanologist at RVO, explains that yesterdays 7.5 m quake was a result of a collision between the South Bismark and Solomon plate.
The epicentre was at a remote area in Pomio. The earthquake shook Rabaul 30 minuites later, after its initial occurance. Its entirely tectonic origin and not volcanic. Ima brushed off rumours of an eruption.
