The people of Tumurora and other villages along the Metapona River in North Guadalcanal area are in a desperate situation after their food gardens were damaged and washed away by flood waters as result of the recent bad weather.
Patrick Kohi from Tumurora told the Solomon Star on Monday during a visit to the area that the heavy rain had forced the Metapona river to burst its banks and flooded their root crops, gardens and homes.
“This is another worse situation for us,” Mr Kohi said while describing the situation.
He added, they were still recovering from the last flood towards the end of last year and the latest heavy rain had really affected them.
“We just planted our gardens after the last flood late last year which damaged our food crops.
“And the floods over the past few days just came and damaged our newly planted gardens again. So it’s a big blow for us.”
He added most of them depended on their food income to earn their living.
“But with the food gardens now damaged by the flood waters, we don’t know how we are going to earn money and even feed ourselves.”
Another villager, John Tokase from Asimane village next to Tumurora added, the recent flood situation was the worst for them because they lost most of their gardens.
He appealed to disaster authorities to visit their communities and assess the damage for possible help.
“During last year’s flooding, we sought assistance from authorities but they failed us. They never gave us food although they promised us.”
Mr Tokase said, with the latest flooding, it was important for disaster authorities to visit their communities and to do proper assessments.
“Because our food gardens are now totally damaged and I just hope that authorities will not fail to assist us this time.
“Come and see for yourself how we are being affected by this flood.”
During the visit, the Solomon Star was told of how the rising waters washed away their gardens and properties.
Most of the families could not escape and just remained in their homes amidst the rising waters, it was highlighted.
“If the heavy rain had continued for hours and days we don’t know what would’ve happen to all of us.”
With the weather slowly improving, the villagers are slowly recovering from their ordeal.
Their most immediate need is clean drinking water and food.
By LESLEY SANGA
