Thousands Ordered to Evacuate Due to Landslide Threat in Papua New Guinea Highlands

On May 29, 2024, thousands of residents in the Papua New Guinea Highlands were ordered to evacuate in response to the imminent threat of a second landslide. The directive follows a catastrophic landslide on May 24, 2024, which buried an estimated 2,000 people in Yambali village, Enga Province.

The initial landslide, described as a 'mountain of rubble,' covered an area equivalent to three to four football fields and reached almost two storeys high. Estimates of the death toll vary significantly, with the government reporting over 2,000 buried alive, the UN estimating around 670 missing, and community leaders suggesting around 200 casualties. So far, only six bodies have been recovered.

The evacuation of thousands of people in Papua New Guinea resulting from a landslide threat highlights the devastating impact of natural disasters exacerbated by changing weather patterns. If not addressed in a timely manner, such disasters can lead to significant loss of life, displacement, and long-term economic and environmental damage.

Prime Minister James Marape attributed the landslide to 'extraordinary rainfall' and changes in weather patterns. Rescue efforts have been hampered by the unstable terrain, with officials expressing concerns about the slim chances of finding survivors. One excavator has arrived at the site but remains unused for fear of further destabilizing the land.

Geologists and geo-hazard specialists from Australia and New Zealand are en route to the village to conduct an urgent assessment. The United Nations has warned of a potential outbreak of infectious diseases resulting from decaying bodies trapped under the debris. ' Every passing minute, bodies buried under the debris are decaying, with water squeezed between the ground and the vast debris covering an area of three to four football fields is continuing to leak, this is posing a high health risk,' said Serhan Aktoprak of the UN migration agency.

Military personnel have established checkpoints and are assisting in moving residents to evacuation centers. The UN estimates that 7,849 people are affected, including those needing possible evacuation and relocation. The relief operation faces significant challenges stemming from the treacherous terrain and ongoing tribal unrest in the remote area.

The Australian government has pledged both manpower and supplies for those displaced by the disaster. The first Australian emergency responders have arrived, and the government has announced an initial aid package of $2.5 million. Provincial authorities have also requested international assistance, including engineers to carry out a geohazard assessment.

The situation remains dire since the movement of the debris mass poses a continuous threat. Enga provincial administrator Sandis Tsaka noted, 'Every hour you can hear rock breaking, it is like a bomb or gunshot, and the rocks keep falling down.' The risk of another landslide remains high, and authorities are racing against time to ensure the safety of the affected residents.

The evacuation and relief efforts in Papua New Guinea highlight the urgent need for international support and swift action to mitigate the impact of natural disasters exacerbated by changing weather patterns. The coming days will be pivotal in determining the extent of the damage and the effectiveness of the ongoing rescue operations.

Key Takeaways

• Thousands evacuated in Papua New Guinea due to landslide threat.
• Initial landslide on May 24 buried an estimated 2,000 people.
• Death toll estimates vary: 2,000+ (gov't), 670 (UN), 200 (community leaders).
• Rescue efforts hampered by unstable terrain, fear of further landslides.
• Australian gov't pledges $2.5 million in aid, international assistance requested.