Over 1 million Ugandans at risk from torrential rains

KAMPALA, Uganda | Xinhua | Uganda warned on Thursday that more than one million people could be affected by ongoing torrential rains, which are likely to trigger landslides and flooding.

Lilian Aber, minister of state for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees, said in a disaster situation statement that the country is currently facing heavy rains, compounded by strong winds and hailstorms. These conditions have caused widespread waterlogging, flooding, crop destruction and the displacement of thousands of families.

So far, the floods have displaced 25,990 people from 6,650 families and impacted 40,213 people in the western Ugandan districts of Ntoroko and Kasese, Aber said.

The threat of landslides in the Mount Elgon region in eastern Uganda has already displaced 2,010 people, who are now living with host families, she added.

“The likelihood of more destructive landslides, floods and wind/hailstorms occurring between September and December is very high,” Aber said in the report.

“The number of people affected will likely exceed one million nationwide by December 2024. These victims will require relief in the form of food, tents, medicine, and other non-food supplies,” she added, urging local governments to conduct community sensitization campaigns.

According to the weather department, several parts of the country, particularly in the western and eastern regions, are experiencing normal to above-normal rainfall, with destructive effects. ■