The worst affected areas are near the Sepik river including Angoram, Wosera Gawi, Ambunti-Drekikir. Photo: Allan Bird
A State of Emergency has been declared in the East Sepik as village leaders continue to assess the damage in the province after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake on killed at least five people.
Governor Allan Bird confirmed to RNZ Pacific the death toll was likely to rise in the coming days as they reach more remote areas.
The US Geological Survey said the quake was just over 40 kilometres deep.
It rocked the province on Sunday near the town of Ambunti, about 756km (470 miles) northwest of the capital, Port Moresby.
Dozens of villages located along the Sepik River were already battling widespread flooding from earlier in March.
The worst affected areas are near the Sepik river including Angoram, Wosera Gawi, Ambunti-Drekikir.
Bird has asked communities to put together an assessment report from their villages and wards and would be putting together a report of damage by Wednesday.
He said they have not heard back from their international partners but said '"we are managing the situation well so far".
On Monday, he said around 1000 homes had been lost.
The most urgent needs are tarpaulin for temporary shelters, clean drinking water, filters and food.
The worst affected areas are near the Sepik river including Angoram, Wosera Gawi, Ambunti-Drekikir Photo: Allan Bird