CYCLONE KOJI CAUSES GALE FORCE WINDS IN PNG

BY RICKY ISRAEL

TROPICAL Cyclone Koji has caused gale force winds which were felt in several parts of Papua New Guinea over the past week, especially in the southern region.

The National Weather Service says the cyclone, which is currently located south-east of Townsville and Mackay in Queensland, Australia, has been pushing very strong winds towards PNG.

Assistant Director for Forecasting and Warnings at the National Weather Service, meteorologist Benjamin Malai, says Cyclone Koji reached Category Two strength over the weekend, generating winds exceeding 50 knots, with speeds over 100 kilometres per hour

Mr Malai says the strong winds experienced in PNG after midnight on Sunday were directly linked to the cyclone. Although the system has now weakened into a tropical storm, strong winds are still affecting parts of the country.

Gale warnings remain in place for Western Province, Gulf Province, Central Province, Milne Bay and the Daru area. Strong wind warnings also continue for other parts of the southern region.

Mr Malai says the gale force winds are expected to ease by Wednesday evening, but strong winds will continue after that.

Small boat operators and coastal communities are advised to stay off the sea until conditions improve.

Meantime, strong winds in the Nation’s capital has also caused damages to properties and tore down tree branches disrupting power supply as experienced over the weekend with long hours of power outages.

PNG Power Limited has also issued a strong wind warning to its customers and city residents as Port Moresby is currently being hit by the effects of the Cyclone off the coast of Australia.

Fallen Trees and other related causes may topple power lines and poles, and can cause harm.

PNG Power now urges all to report any faults to the technical teams to attend and isolate issues and have it rectified.