Situation Description:

Flash Floods and Landslides affected parts of Makira/Ulawa Province. This was the result of very heavy rain that was experienced in the Province over the weekend (Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd of June 2012). There has not been any major weather related reasons that analysts from SIMS could verify as to the cause of the heavy rain. However, we are certain that during the period leading to the dates of the heavy rain, there has been a Trough lies to the South of the Solomon Islands with a general Easterly trades wind flow that persists over the Solomon Islands. Rainfall data supplied by the SIMS Climatology Section, obtained from the Volunteer Station located in Kira Kira has indicated that Flash Flood occurred in the early hours of Saturday 2nd June 2012. This was due to excess rainfall which exceeds 241.2mm.

Status:

Significant impacts were localized around the North and North-Eastern parts of Makira/Ulawa Province Main Island. Fortunately there were no fatalities or injuries.

The flash floods claimed total of 11 dwelling houses in three wards, one in ward 11, two in ward 12 and eight in ward 13.

Elsewhere the Flash Flood and Landslide has impacted on a total of 106 communities in seven wards, affecting food gardens and other livelihoods of around1200 households with an approximate population of 7235.

Data collected by the Provincial Disaster Assessment Teams (PDAT) deployed to the affected areas to conduct Initial Damaged and Needs Assessments has confirmed around 90% to 100% of food gardens in 106 communities were destroyed in Wards 8, 9,10 11, 12, 13, and 14. Farmers lost cash crops (cocoa, coconuts, kava) and livestock (pigs).