REPORTS of two huge water logs (naturally formed pools or lakes) upstream of the Mataniko river has caused havoc, fear and panic amongst riverside dwellers who have already been traumatized by the April 3 flash floods which killed 21 people, two still missing and thousands homeless.
Sources who claimed to have seen the pools which are said to be as big as a lake said that the rumour spreading the town is true, however not yet reported to the public.
“We have seen the pools. It is at a logging camp upstream.
“We do not know if the pools had been caused by the floods or the continuous rain however it is totally big.
“There are two pools, two of which if spilled downstream would have an effect far more worse than the flash flooding we experienced early this month,” one of the witnesses who wished not to be named said.
The flash floods on April three resulted in a total of 21 deaths, two missing people not yet found and left thousands homeless and now seeking refuge in evacuation camps in Honiara.
He also added that villages a little downstream of the pools have already been washed away or under water.
“People are paddling in the villages downstream.
“Others have evacuated the area following the floods, plus the two pools are filling up so fast.
“I for one know that if these two pools spill, then the effect would be more devastating than the one we experienced early this month,” he said.
He also said that helicopters have on occasions circulated the pools, however they have yet to hear anything of the pools from the media or the National Disaster Management Council (NDMO).
Authorities had previously denied the reports adding that there is no such thing as filled up pools upstream ready to be spilled out, adding that people should stop spreading such rumours to cause fear amongst many others victimized and traumatized by the floods.
By JEREMY INIFIRI