Tragic Landslides in Uganda Leave at Least 30 Feared Dead
At least 30 people are feared dead after landslides triggered by heavy rains in eastern Uganda. Search and rescue operations are ongoing as officials recover bodies and assess damage. The Ugandan government has issued national disaster alerts in response to widespread flooding. Significant infrastructural impacts, including impassable roads, have also been reported.
On Thursday, local officials reported that at least 30 individuals are feared deceased due to landslides in a village within eastern Uganda, with expectations of the death toll increasing. This disaster comes on the heels of heavy rainfall that has caused widespread flooding and mudslides across the region. Masugu village, situated in the Bulambuli district roughly five hours from Kampala, was struck by the landslide during the night on Wednesday.
District Commissioner Faheera Mpalanyi disclosed to AFP that six bodies, including that of an infant, have been retrieved, yet the search continues amid fears that many remains are buried beneath the highly unstable debris. John Cliff Wamala, a spokesperson for the Ugandan Red Cross, reported that approximately 13 bodies have been located, and numerous homes—around 40—have either been completely destroyed or sustaining significant damage.
Reports indicated that the magnitude and exact details of these landslides remain unclear, although social media has circulated videos and images of rescue efforts in neighboring villages. The Ugandan Prime Minister’s office has acknowledged the severe impact of the recent rains, stating that they have precipitated multiple disaster situations in various locales. Following the flooding caused by a tributary of the Nile River overflowing, emergency teams have been deployed to assist stranded motorists and assess infrastructural damages, particularly a key road leading to South Sudan, which remains impassable. Moreover, it was confirmed that an unfortunate incident occurred where one of the rescue boats capsized, leading to one engineer’s demise. This disaster follows a troubling pattern of fatal mudslides in Uganda over the years, worsened by increasingly severe weather conditions.
Uganda has faced a significant increase in extreme weather events, particularly heavy rains, leading to multiple instances of flooding and landslides over the past decade. The country is vulnerable to natural disasters, particularly in areas near mountainous regions. Previous incidents, such as the fatal mudslides in the Mount Elgon region and the rubbish landslide in Kampala earlier this year, underscore the severe human toll and infrastructural damage caused by such events. With the local government’s disaster response mechanisms under strain, the need for effective emergency management and disaster preparedness has become increasingly urgent.
In summary, the recent landslides in Uganda have resulted in a tragic loss of life, impacting numerous families and communities. Local officials have expressed concerns about rising fatalities as rescue operations continue. The ongoing issues of extreme weather and natural disasters challenge the effectiveness of Uganda’s disaster response to safeguard its citizens. These events highlight the pressing need for enhanced preparedness and infrastructure resilience in the face of climate change and adverse weather conditions.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
