WELLINGTON, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The number of death toll from flooding in Oro province of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has risen to 153, local newspaper The National reported on Wednesday.

    A senior disaster official confirmed new deaths at Afore, Sakarina, Mamba and Kamusi areas in Oro Province, north of Port Moresby.

    The officials did not give details of how they died, or from what cause, said the newspaper.

    Over 145,000 people were directly affected by the heavy flooding after seven consecutive days of heavy rain which left a trail of destruction.

    Officials fear more people could die of starvation and water-borne diseases and if those injured are not evacuated for medical treatment.

    PNG government has declared a state of emergency in the flood-ravaged Oro province.

    A Cabinet meeting decided to pump in about K500 million (183 million U.S. dollars) for rehabilitation and reconstruction work in flood-hit areas.