The water level at the Sirinumu Dam in the Central province is visibly very low with soil now appearing in places once covered by water. 

This is now a major concern for the surrounding community and also for the city residents of Port Moresby and Central province which the dam supplies water and power to.

Mr. Geno Varuna Deputy President for Koiari Local Level Government and Ward Councillor for Sirinumu, stated that this El-Nino is the worst ever felt.

He said the dam walls are visible, the earth near the sides of the dam and trees in the middle of the dam are all visible, and this will get worse if this El-Nino persists.

“Every morning when we come out of our homes, we can see the differences at the water level and its shrinking daily by centimeters.”

He also added that most streams and creeks have dried up already and only about 4 or 5 creeks are still running but very low with so many algae.

“All water sources have dried up; the remaining ones are filled with algae and it's not conducive for consumption”, Mr. Varuna said. “We are in dire need of clean drinking water.”

“Because most water sources have dried up, we are now using the dam lake for bath, cooking, laundry and drinking, but it is not clean and we will get bacterial infection or typhoid.”

Mr. Varuna further added that the Sirinumu Primary school is also facing water shortage. All its tanks are empty, prompting teachers to send kids home around 12pm middays because.

“Students do not have clean drinking water even at home and at their schools too, and it is a serious health concern as well and a serious sanitation issue for them”.

The people of Sirunumu and the entire Koiari LLG need food security and clean drinking water at this time.

Since the Sirinumu dam operation in 1963 to 2026, the people of Sirinumu have shared their water with the entire population of this country that resides in Central Province as well as in Port Moresby, and this very water supply is slowly drying up because of this severe El-Nino.

“About 4000 people including children, need food and clean water supply, and we are calling on the relevant authorities to come to our aid at this time when we cannot make food gardens nor get clean water from our creeks and streams.”

Mr. Varuna is urging authorities such as PNG Power and Water PNG to come to their aid as it is the Sirinumu peoples’ water that is bringing money and employment for these authorities, and the least PNG Power and Water PNG could do is provide relief assistance to the people of Sirinumu and the Koiari LLG.

“We are also calling on the National Disaster Office here in Port Moresby, Hiri Koiari District Development Authority, Central Provincial Government and the provincial disaster office to provide relief assistance to the people of Koiari LLG.”

It is understood that currently Koiari LLG officers are carrying out survey and scoping arears and families severely affected by the El-Nino, and hopefully the report reaches the authorities and help is given as soon as possible.