Heavy Rain and Strong Winds expected to continue for the next couple of days – POST-COURIER

BY REBECCA KUKU

Papua New Guinea was hit by Tropical Cyclone Lucas at 5am this morning with heavy torrential rains and strong winds causing flooding and falling trees and power pylons.

So far one death has been reported in Port Moresby after a tree fell on a family home.

TheNational Weather Service has also issued a heavy rain and flash flood warning in the capital city and Central Province.

Duty Forecaster Peter Warupi said that Cyclone Lucas was now out of the country heading towards Vanuatu and Noumea.

Renewal gale force winds warning have also been issued for all coastal waters of Yule Island to Port Moresby to Hood Point/Aroma Coast and Samarai Islands.

All Milne Bay islands, including Finschhafen to Vitiaz/Dampier straits and south of West New Britain, including the ocean waters of the east Coral and west Solomon seas, he said.

Warupi also said that strong west to Northwest winds of 34-47 knots are expected to continue for the next 24 hours, causing very rough and high seas.

Heavy rains, showers and isolated thunderstorms associated with the monsoon trough to be experienced for the next couple of days.

Heavy rains are forecasted to persist over low lying areas, valleys and along rivers, streams and lakes in Highlands, Gulf, Central, NCD, Milne Bay, Oro, including East and West Sepik, Madang and Northern Coast of East/West New Britain and New Ireland province, over the next 12/24 hours causing flooding and landslides, he said.

Warupi called on the public to take necessary precautions.

All affected communities are urged to move to higher grounds, store clean drinking water and food and to avoid driving through or crossing flooded roads, bridges and rivers.

His office will continue to provide weather updates and warnings.

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Heavy Rain and Strong Winds expected to continue for the next couple of days - POST-COURIER