10 Dec 2008

PNG warns about continued high tides

4:40 pm on 10 December 2008

It's unclear how many people have been hit by flash flooding caused by high waves in Papua New Guinea's New Ireland and Manus Province.

The tides have been generated by a low-pressure system.

The national disaster management office's acting director, Martin Mose, says there're reports that a couple of houses in both provinces have been swept away.

Mr Mose says there're no reported injuries and the damage seems minor, but it has yet to be fully assessed.

He says people are advised to move inland to escape the waves.

"We have advised them at this point in time through radio that they need to stay away and go to a safe site safe where they will be safe from being affected in any way and to remain there and report to the authorities if anything happens."

Martin Mose says they are closely monitoring the situation in a small coral island in New Ireland and are considering evacuate its 116 inhabitants as there's no safe ground.