Transcript
KAIGABU KAMNANAYA: According to the people around the area, not from the (provincial) co-ordinator, but from around Lihir and around the area, the shaking did take place, it was quite long and strong. But it did not cause any physical damage. And the people are reporting there's nothing serious or damaging that can attract attention for provincial and others to respond to through assessments. I was talking to somebody at the Buka wharf, they estimated that the earthquake was strong, and caused the people to react by moving to higher ground, which is good, good to take a precaution measure. And also he estimated that 130 centimetre-height of water above sea level soon after the earthquake. Tsunami generated was about 130 centimetres around Buka of Bougainville, but that was not destructive.
JOHNNY BLADES: So Bougainville and New Ireland, any other provinces? East New Britain?
KK: Yeah they felt it. Even down to the eastern part, as far as the Trobriand and Woodlark islands. The last island of Papua New Guinea to the east is Budi Budi island, they also felt shaking of the earthquake, but did not report seeing change of the water, like a tsunami coming in. Some areas which were close by they saw changes of water. But those who are far away only felt the earthquake but did not see any change of water.
JB: And of course up in that area your country is used to big earthquakes, and I suppose people know what to do, do they?
KK: Based on previous cases, if anything happens, then they react, precaution, they take measures. So yes, particularly around the Niugini Islands, we have a lot of earthquakes, so once that quake took place, they try to do what they could do in an appropriate way for them.
JB: You were mentioning the provincial disaster team, but from the national disaster management office, do you send a team to assess on the ground?
KK: No we can't go up there, unless there is a need. And the need has to be expressed from the district to the provincial level.
JB: And there doesn't seem to be a need in this case?
KK: No.