Rivers overflow as heavy rain hits Uganda
Image credit: Uganda Red Cross
Heavy rains affecting eastern and northern Uganda since May 6, 2021, have caused rivers to overflow leading to severe damage and at least 1 fatality. More than 15 000 people have been affected.
The Manafwa and the Nakwasi Rivers in the Butaleja District overflowed after two days of heavy rain across Eastern and Northern regions.
Local authorities are reporting damaged homes, blocked roads, and crops destroyed in 7 sub-counties and describing the flooding as one of the worst on record for the area. Media report one fatality and around 15 000 affected families in Eastern Region.
The victim was a trader from Manafwa who was crossing a flooded road.
The water also covered many areas like the Doho-Manafwa bridge and Leresi trading center, NTV Uganda reported.
"Roads to leading to Kasensero landing site via Mutukula road are cut off due to floods," Uganda Red Cross reported today. "From Bukoola to Kateera, close to 20 km [12.4 miles] River Bukoola and River Kagera overflow ends up into the nearby communities. Transport is a challenge, affecting all businesses and livelihoods."
Roads to leading to Kasensero landing site via Mutukula road are cut off due to floods. From Bukoola to Kateera, close to 20km (River Bukoola & River Kagera over flow ends up into th3 nearby communities.
Transport is a challenge, affecting all businesses and livelihoods. pic.twitter.com/h8Wef9LS7A— Uganda Red Cross Soc (@UgandaRedCross) May 10, 2021
Heavy rains causing havoc in Moroto district, Tapac Sub County. Houses deroofed, walls cracked and weakened.@UgandaRedCross disaster response team on ground for rapid assessment.@JoelKitutu supporting mapping excercise for affected area, Kobbo collect tool activated.@IFRCAfrica pic.twitter.com/3z8A0fdNeE
— Irene Nakasiita (@inakasiita1) May 7, 2021
@UgandaRedCross supporting affected communities in Butalejja after floods displaced some households. Mapping for more communities at risk continues @opmdpm @OPMUganda @Parliament_Ug @IFRCAfrica @IFRC_DREF pic.twitter.com/fF82ChgC4x
— Irene Nakasiita (@inakasiita1) May 7, 2021
Butalejja floods situation #today
Families displaced. Rapid assessment underway. @EmmanuelNtale @JoelKitutu taking lead in mapping affected areas and working out response plans. Kobbo tool activated @RCClimate @IFRCAfrica @IKEA @IFRC_DREF @ifrc @OPMUganda @opmdpm pic.twitter.com/AEA3SiSCBo— Uganda Red Cross Soc (@UgandaRedCross) May 7, 2021
Heavy rains have also caused severe damage to houses in Moroto District, Northern Region on May 7.
More heavy rain is forecast over the whole country in the next 24 hours, with locally very heavy rain over the Eastern Region.
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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