Deadly flash floods sweep through Kampala, Uganda
At least two people died after flash floods swept through the city of Kampala, Uganda, this week. Heavy rains began around September 8, leading to inundations that disrupted traffic and trapped a number of people in a collapsed building.
The police recovered two bodies from the Nakivubo Channel around September 11. Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson Patrick Onyango identified one of the victims as a 12-year-old girl– a resident of Nsambya Kitooro.
According to preliminary findings, the girl was playing with her friends during the rain when their ball fell in a trench. As she attempted to remove the ball, floodwaters swept her away. Her body was found near Clock Tower.
While the police were at the scene, another body of a male adult appeared, who was yet to be identified.
@KCCAUG will never say a thing about manholes and flood control in Kampala if the people don’t rise to demand for accountability. pic.twitter.com/5rzuoQuPvt
— Affinyus Geo (@AffinyusGeo) September 10, 2020
This is tragic!
Nature is sending us serious warnings but we're not listening.
Wake up world.
Kampala floods #ClimateEmergency pic.twitter.com/kOBeoVQgx1— Leah Namugerwa (@NamugerwaLeah) September 15, 2020
Meanwhile, in Makindye, a building under construction collapsed on September 11, trapping several people under the rubble. Rescue efforts were conducted by a joint team of police and fire services. No fatalities were reported.
Flooding has long been a problem in Kampala. In 2019, more than 190 people drowned in swollen trenches, lakes, rivers, and septic tanks. Police urged residents to be very cautious, especially during the rainy season.
Rescue efforts still under way at a collapsed building in kelezia zone Makindye by a Joint team of Our fire and rescue services and @KCCAUG plus the local community.
One person has so far been rescued. pic.twitter.com/GhKp4YAieL— Uganda Police Force (@PoliceUg) September 12, 2020
KCCA gets a lot of money in billions of shillings for Kampala roads, management of floods etc. But it seems abasajja na bakazi they enjoy the dime. #mujooga pic.twitter.com/nax7TuqFMU
— Ojambojohn (@Ojambojohn4) September 10, 2020
Wapala LCI, Doho parish, Mazimasa Subcounty, Butaleja district. Sweet potatoes & other food crops destroyed in gardens by recent floods due to the SOND season rains. @JoelKitutu who is also supporting the region to map affected areas.@EmmanuelNtale @inakasiita1 @RobertKasumba4 pic.twitter.com/P55wGthTZa
— Uganda Red Cross Soc (@UgandaRedCross) September 15, 2020
Plastics are blocking drainage channels and has contributed to the current floods in Kampala that is leading to loss of people's lives.
As according to kcca spokesman Daniel nuwabine.
I saw this along gaba road.
Let's revise how we dispose plastics as public.@WWFUganda @KCCAUG pic.twitter.com/2sBYn3LS9x— manirakiza fred (@manirakizafred5) September 14, 2020
Featured image credit: Uganda Red Cross Society
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