By Natalie Cholohei
Morobe will be the first province to use the flood early warning systems (EWS) as an improved disaster risk management measure.
Morobe has been hard hit with natural disasters over the years, prompting the establishment of the early warning system.
New Zealand-based company, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited (NIWA) is working in partnership with the Morobe disaster centre and Conservation and Environment Promotion Authority (CEPA) to implement the pilot project at selected sites in the province.
NIWA senior technician, Barry Waugh said they started three weeks ago, equipping an automatic weather system (AWS) for Nadzab airport and also installing water level gauges at the Bumbu river to monitor flooding.
“We are working simultaneously on equipping airports sites with an AWS as well as working on a pilot project on providing flood warning to people living downstream, so they are aware of what is happening,” Mr Waugh said.
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