Summary:
- Geoffrey Omolo the chairman LCV Katakwi district in his statement said, the district has tried its best to see that all roads cut can be handled but a lot of water is still flashing to the district.
KATAKWI: At least 5,000 people and 1,000 acres of land have been displaced and submerged by flash flooding in Katakwi district in eastern Uganda.
The affected residents have sought shelter in schools and nearby sub-counties that have not been impacted by the current floods.
Hazel Amodoi, a farmer in Ongongoja Sub County, shared with this online news publication that he has lost one acre of cassava and two hectares of other crops. Hon. William Omeke, Chairman of LC3 Ongongoja Sub County, Usuk County in Katakwi district, confirmed the extent of the floods during a phone interview on May 27, 2024.
According to Omeke, the affected villages and roads in his sub-county include Akimeng, Atapar, Akamurei, Apuriso, Akore, Ongunga, Angolekit, and Olupe. The roads affected are the sub-county headquarters road, Ongunga road (which connects to VP Alupo Jesica Rose Epel’s home), Omukuny-Okuda to Usuk road, Adacar-Obulengorok to Ongongoja SS road, Okocho-Oumoi, and Ongongoja headquarters to Obwobwo road.
In Ngariam Sub County, Chairman LC3 Moses Iteit confirmed that over 20 villages have been submerged by floods. He stated that locals have lost various food crops, including cassava, potatoes, sesame, green gram, groundnuts, and sorghum.
“We request the central government to come and rescue us from these flash floods with tarpaulins, blankets, and food items,” Iteit said.
Meanwhile, Geoffrey Omolo, the chairman LCV Katakwi district, mentioned in his statement that the district has made efforts to address the cut-off roads, but significant amounts of water continue to flood the district.
“We have deployed emergency supplies and are working with humanitarian aid agencies to provide temporary shelters, but our teams on the ground are stretched,” Omolo said.
Omolo added that they have instructed local authorities to record all the people affected by floods and send the information to the sub-county to ensure accurate records.
He highlighted that the most affected sub-counties in the district include Ongongoja, Usuk, Guya-Guya, Palam, Ngariam, Okore, Akoboi, Magoro, Kapujan, Omodoi, Akoboi, and Getom. Hundreds of people have lost their homes, properties, and crops in these sub-counties.
Omolo also mentioned that meetings have been held with other regions such as Karamoja, Acholi, and Lango to discuss the flood issue, with the Karamoja sub-region warning the Teso region about the heavy flash floods. He urged residents of Katakwi to be cautious in waterlogged areas and advised parents to protect children from crossing roads affected by the floods.
Sources indicate that the River Kidepo burst its banks after heavy rainfall swept through the Karamoja region, leading to the submergence of homes, roads, and the uprooting of water pipes.
