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.
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]
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] A replacement bridge funded by the Australian government opened in 2016.
http://www.looppng.com/content/pm-officially-open-kumusi-bridge Archived 2022-08-16 at the Wayback Machine
8°30′S148°14′E / 8.500°S 148.233°E