30 killed amid devastating floods in Northern Bahr el Ghazal

JUBA – At least 30 people have been killed and 809,000 affected by severe flooding in five counties of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, official said.

Dut Majokdit, Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, said 30 people have died as results of floods in recent months amid torrential rains.

“Most houses have been submerged in water and many people lost their lives. Almost 34 people died and there are people who have been bit by snakes,” Majokdit told Sudans Post on Monday.

Majokdit said the floods destroyed farmlands, houses, and the livelihoods of hundreds of people.

“Based on the joint assessment we made together with humanitarian partners 809,000 individuals have been affected by floods in five counties of Northern Bahr el Ghazal,” said Majokdit.

Majokdit said people are at higher risk of outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as malaria and others.

“Many people also lost their lives due to malaria because they are drinking contaminated water which caused a lot of diseases.”

He said 65,000 farmlands have submerged in water.

“Almost 65,000 farmlands have been destroyed by floods and we called upon the international organizations, and national organizations operating in Northern Bahr el Ghazal to support our people.”

He urged aid agencies and the national government to provide food, shelter, and medicine to prevent waterborne diseases from spreading.

“Our people need shelter, mosquito nets to prevent malaria infections and they also need food because due to these floods most of the crops they have cultivated are completely damaged,” he said.

He said those displaced by the floods are taking shelter in highland areas and along roads.

“Most of the displaced persons are sleeping on the roadsides.”

South Sudan has been battling to respond to victims of flooding since last year after more than 900,000 people were affected in states like Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Lakes state.