Kumusi River

The Kumusi River (also known as the Kamusi River) is a river located in the Oro Province of Papua New Guinea. Known for its width and its strength, the Kumusi has had a significant impact on the history of the Oro Province. It was a significant factor in the Kokoda Track Campaign and also a contributing factor to the destruction caused by Cyclone Guba.

History

World War II

Kumusi River Crossing at Wairopi

Aerial view of Kumusi River

Due to its relative proximity to the Kokoda Track, the Kumusi River was often a factor in the Kokoda Track Campaign of World War II. The fast flowing and wide river provided natural barrier from enemy, and gave the soldiers a distinct advantage.^[1] There were few bridges, the solid ones were often bombed to break a supply line.^[2] Soldiers often had to walk, or use rafts through the powerful current in order to get across^[3] Many fatalities were recorded as the current overwhelmed the soldiers.^[3] One of the most notable deaths was that of Japanese Major General Tomitaro Horii. After the Oivi-Gorari battle, the Japanese chaotically crossed the river at Wairopi.^[4][5] Although his horse already had drowned, Horii opted to try and cross on a raft. He soon fell into the water and drowned.^[5]

Cyclone Guba

On 14 and 15 November 2007, Cyclone Guba hit the Oro Province. The Cyclone brought five days of solid rain, causing widespread flooding; the Kumusi swelled to ten times its original width.^[6] The flooding destroyed homes, gardens and in some cases, entire villages were washed away.^[7] The flooding completely destroyed the provinces vital infrastructure, over twenty-two bridges were washed away, cutting the link to Popondetta.^[8] Of the twenty-two, the Kumusi Bridge,^[9] a large steel structure was destroyed, with estimated rebuilding costs at K70 million.^[8]

Notes

1. Brune 1992, p. 215
2. Brune 2004, p. 90
3. Brune 1992, p. 216
4. Brune 2004, p. 419
5. Lindsay 2002, p. 122
6. "Tasmanian Anglican". Trek Kokoda. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
7. "Building Blocks". The National. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
8. "Islands Business". Islands Business International. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
9. "Cyclone Guba Devastates Kokoda Area". Kokoda Trekking. Retrieved 22 November 2008.

References

• Lindsay, Patrick (2002). "The Spirit of Kokoda: Then and Now". Hardie Grant Books. ISBN 1-74066-075-7.
• Brune, Peter (1992). "Those Ragged Bloody Heroes". Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86373-264-0.
• Brune, Peter (2004). "A Bastard of a Place". Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-74114-403-5.

Coordinates: 8°30′S 148°14′E / 8.500°S 148.233°E