At least 22 dead, many missing after rivers burst banks in Uganda’s Mbale District
At least 22 people have died and many remain missing after severe floods hit Uganda’s Mbale District over the weekend.
The Nabuyonga and Namatala rivers overflowed in Uganda’s Mbale District over the weekend, claiming at least 22 lives, forcing hundreds to evacuate and causing extensive property damage, especially in areas of Namakwekwe and areas of Mbale City where several vehicles and an unknown number of occupants were swept away.1
Police and the military have been called in to help in search and rescue operations, where stranded residents could only watch helplessly as their belongings were washed away by the floodwaters.2
Mbale City resident commissioner Ahamada Waashaki told AFP on Sunday, July 31, 2022, that nine bodies had been recovered so far, including one of a soldier.
“Many more people are missing and feared dead,” he said.
“There is a lot of destruction, roads cut off, buildings submerged as a result of heavy rain that started last night until this morning.”
Uganda National Roads Authority reported floods and mudslides had cut several roads including the Mbale—Nkokonjeru Road and the Mbale—Soroti Road.
Joint police, army and Red Cross teams continued to search for the many people who have been reported missing since the floodwaters engulfed homes, bridges, shops and roads.3
“In the past we experienced flooding but not the level of lives lost and destruction of property seen this time,” Waashaki said.
References:
1 Uganda – at Least 10 Killed in Catastrophic Floods in Eastern Region – FloodList – August 1, 2022
2 Scores dead in floods in Uganda, Iran and UAE – AFP – July 31, 2022
3 Latest Uganda flood death toll rises to 22 – Africa News – August 1, 2022
Featured image credit: Nyombi Morris
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