River Unyama has burst its banks throwing the residents of Elegu Town Council in Amuru District at the Uganda-South Sudan border in panic. The river burst its banks on Wednesday morning submerging homes and gardens in the Eastern Part of the Town Council.
The flood followed heavy rains experienced in the last two days in Nwoya, Gulu, and Amuru Districts. Richard Omony, a businessman in Elegu Town Council says that some buildings had been partly submerged by floods by Wednesday morning.
He however notes that the water level was still low and anticipates its rise in the coming days should the rains continue. “The water came from the river on Wednesday and flooded some of the areas on the eastern part of the town council. It’s receding slowly but if it rains again, the level will rise,” said Omony.
Wilfred Oyoo, a taxi driver plying Atiak-Nimule road, says that close to 100 people whose homes were flooded had sought refuge by the roadside on Thursday morning. Oyoo says there is a likelihood that the water level may rise in the coming days with the continuation of heavy rains being registered in the region.
“I can see close to 100 people stranded by the roadside here because their homes are flooded. Some among them are afraid to go back home because the water hasn’t yet receded,” says Oyoo.
The Elegu Town Council LC 3 Chairperson, John Idra Kovuki says about 20 homes have been submerged in the flood water. He however says no extensive damage or loss of life and injuries has been registered and lauded the awareness campaigns conducted to inform locals about the looming floods.
Kovuki however cautioned locals against reoccupying the flooded areas after the water has receded saying heavy rain is still expected to trigger more flash floods. The Uganda National Meteorological Authority-UNMA early this month issued an early warning to residents of Elegu Town Council to be alert over an imminent occurrence of floods.
UNMA warned that River Unyama, which is near the Elegu Border post at the Uganda-South Sudan border, may burst its banks due to above-normal rainfall expected this month and October. George William Omony, the Manager of Forecasting Services in UNMA told URN in an earlier interview that heavy rainfalls in Amuru, Nwoya, and Gulu Districts will see a rise in the water levels of river Ayugi and river Unyama triggering flash floods.
In September last year, hundreds of people were left stranded while properties with millions of shillings were destroyed after a devastating flash flood hit Elegu town council.
