Landslides bury 40 homes in six villages, claim at least 13 lives in Bulambuli, Uganda
Landslides triggered by heavy rains on Wednesday night, November 27, 2024, in Uganda’s mountainous Bulambuli District buried at least 40 homes across six villages and claimed 13 lives. The death toll could potentially rise to 30, according to the Ugandan Red Cross Society.
Search and rescue operation in Bulambuli after landlslides - November 2024. Image credit: Uganda Red Cross Society
- Landslides triggered by heavy rains in Bulambuli, Uganda, buried at least 40 homes and claimed 13 lives, with the death toll possibly rising to 30.
- Most of the victims recovered so far were children.
At least 13 people lost their lives and 40 homes in six villages were buried after a series of landslides hit Uganda, according to reports by relief officials from the Ugandan Red Cross Society on Thursday.
The landslides were triggered by heavy rains on the night of Wednesday, November 27, in the mountainous district of Bulambuli, where such events are common. The district is located approximately 280 km (173 miles) east of the capital, Kampala.
The affected area covers roughly 20 ha (50 acres), including homesteads and farmlands downhill.
According to a local newspaper, most of the bodies recovered were those of children.
Heavy rains have impacted the country over the past few days, causing floods in several regions. Multiple rivers reportedly burst their banks, submerging surrounding areas and isolating communities. Some individuals are suspected to be missing due to the floods, though this has yet to be confirmed.
A disaster alert was issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday as heavy rains disrupted major routes across the country. Two rescue boats capsized during a mission on the Nile River after the Pakwach Bridge was submerged by floodwaters. One of the engineers on the boats was reported dead.
1 At least 13 dead after landslides bury 40 homes in villages in eastern Uganda – AP – November 28, 2024
2 Houses swept away in Uganda landslide after heavy rainfall – BBC – November 28, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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