Devastating Landslide in Papua New Guinea Leaves Thousands Feared Buried
Reports suggest that up to 2,000 individuals may have been buried in a recent landslide in Papua New Guinea, as emergency teams rush to locate survivors in the isolated area.
As many as 2,000 people are feared to have been buried by last week’s massive landslide in Papua New Guinea, according to the country’s National Disaster Centre. Rescuers are currently working hard to find any survivors in the remote region.
The landslide took place in the mountainous Enga region in northern Papua New Guinea on Friday. The latest figure of 2,000 people feared buried is a significant increase from earlier estimates.
After the disaster, the United Nations initially reported around 100 possible deaths. However, the number was later updated to 670 by the Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the country.
Villagers search through a landslide in Yambali in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, Sunday, May 26, 2024. The International Organization for Migration has increased its estimate of the death toll from a massive landslide Friday May 24 in Papua New Guinea to more than 670.
Villagers in Yambali, located in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, are searching through a landslide that occurred on Sunday, May 26, 2024. The International Organization for Migration has updated its estimate of the death toll from the massive landslide that took place on Friday, May 24, in Papua New Guinea to over 670. Photo credit: Mohamud Omer/International Organization for Migration/AP
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According to the latest projection from Papua New Guinea’s disaster agency, it seems that the initial estimate may have been a significant underestimate.
Lusete Laso Mana, the Acting Director of the National Disaster Centre, revealed that the landslide not only buried over 2000 people alive but also resulted in extensive damage to buildings and food gardens, impacting the country's economy greatly. In a letter to the UN, Mana highlighted the scale of destruction caused by the disaster.
"The landslip is still moving slowly, creating a risky situation for both rescue teams and survivors. The main highway to the area is now completely blocked due to the landslide," he mentioned.
"After the team's inspection, it was found that the damages are extensive and urgent action from everyone involved is needed to address the situation."
Early on Friday morning, a landslide struck the remote village of Kaokalam, located about 600 kilometers northwest of the capital Port Moresby. The impact left a trail of debris that humanitarian workers described as being the size of four football pitches.
Officials reported that over 150 houses in Yambali village were engulfed by the landslide, with the situation still considered extremely dangerous. Ongoing rockfalls and the pressure on the exposed ground soil continue to pose a significant risk to the area.
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Aerial footage shows aftermath of enormous landslide in Papua New Guinea
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Papua New Guinea is home to around 10 million people. Its vast mountainous terrain and lack of roads have made it difficult to access the affected area.
People gather at the site of a landslide in Maip Mulitaka in Papua New Guinea's Enga Province on May 24, 2024.
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Pierre Rognon, who is an associate professor at the University of Sydney's School of Civil Engineering, mentioned that finding survivors after a landslide is quite difficult.
He explained that landslides have the ability to bury buildings and individuals under large amounts of earth and rocks, making rescue efforts challenging.
The landslide can move structures and trap people over long distances, making it difficult to locate potential survivors. It is uncertain what triggered the landslide, but geology professor Alan Collins from the University of Adelaide mentioned that it occurred in an area with high levels of rainfall.
Collins explained that while the landslide may not have been caused by an earthquake, the constant seismic activity from plates colliding can create unstable conditions in steep slopes and mountains.
Additionally, he mentioned that the rainfall could have changed the composition of the bedrock, potentially weakening the rock in the hilly areas.
“Vegetation mitigates this as tree roots can stabilise the ground and deforestation can make landslides more prevalent by destroying this biological mesh,” he said.
Editor's P/S:
The devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea has left a trail of unimaginable loss and suffering. The sheer scale of the tragedy, with thousands feared buried, is heart-wrenching. The remote location of the affected area and the rugged terrain pose significant challenges for rescue efforts. It is imperative that the international community and humanitarian organizations extend their unwavering support to the people of Papua New Guinea during this time of crisis.
The article highlights the importance of understanding the geological factors that contribute to landslides. Deforestation and heavy rainfall can exacerbate the risk of landslides in mountainous regions. It is essential to implement sustainable land management practices and invest in early warning systems to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters. Furthermore, research and collaboration among geologists, engineers, and policymakers can lead to innovative solutions to prevent future tragedies.
