THE government is preparing to respond to the affected communities hit by a very strong undersea earthquake of magnitude 7.8, which occurred at 4.38am, Friday.
Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Samuel Manetoali confirmed this when he informed Parliament on Friday.
Mr Manetoali said from information generated from collected data and reports from provinces through telephone calls on toll free number 955 has indicated significant impacts on surge for Makira and Malaita.
He said according to the threat assessment, the priority areas are east of Guadalcanal, South Malaita, whole of Makira and Temotu.
Furthermore, Mr Manetoali said there will issues of landslides and damages of house across Malaita, Guadalcanal and Makira due to high intensity of the shake.
He said initial reports received from the provinces through the disaster toll free communication, 43 houses are reportedly affected in Malaita and Makira.
“Most of the houses affected in Malaita related to the effects of the shake, while tsunami has caused extensive damages on Makira.
“More than 3,000 people are reported affected in Malaita and Makira,” he said.
Mr Manetoali said as per initial impacts, it is anticipated there will be more access to information as people in affected areas have limited communication especially the southern part of Makira.
“Therefore the impact case load will be higher as information becomes available,” he said.
As such, Mr Manetoali said activation of the disaster maritime arrangements, national and provincial preparedness for emergency and disaster response are in place.
He said activation of national disaster centre on full operation mode to monitor the situation and coordinate activities to carry out initial situation overview for impact of earthquake and tsunami.
“Activation of the National Disaster OperationCommittee (NDOC).
“Activation of Provincial Emergency Operation Centre of Makira, Temotu, Malaita and Guadalcanal to monitor and coordinate provincial activities and established plans to response to affected communities and islands,” he said.
Moreover, Mr Manetoali said to conduct aerial assessment by the NDMO, lead assessment team requested by the government of Solomon Islands through the Royal Solomon Islands Policeand DFAT carry out initial situation overview, which the report will be ready in three days.
“Although the aerial assessment report will be ready as soon as the team returns.
“Mapping of pre-position emergency stockpile in the countries with agencies and NGOs and convene meetings for the NDOC at 11am this morning,” he added.
Mr Manetoali said the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and Ministry of Finance are presentlylooking at resources to mobilise and attend to affected areas.
“And we have resources under our relieve budget to meet some of the needs.
“Our partners have already offered to assist and waiting information on affected areas which we are gathering as I speak,” he said.
In the meantime, Solomon Islands Meteorological Services had cancelled the tsunami warnings for Makira and Temotu provinces at 9.30am, Friday.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
