DISCLAIMER: At the bottom of the story is pictures showing victims from the floods. There will be a viewer warning prior to the pictures being shown. For those that do not want to see the pictures, stop scrolling once the warning appears on your screen.
Floods in Eastern Uganda brought by torrential rains have killed at least 25 people, left many missing, and thousands displaced.
According to officials, heavy rain hit Uganda over the weekend resulting in two rivers overflowing. As the rivers overflowed, flash floods hit the city of Mbale and surrounding towns leaving many to flee their homes.
According to officials, heavy rain hit Uganda over the weekend resulting in two rivers overflowing. As the rivers overflowed, flash floods hit the city of Mbale and surrounding towns leaving many to flee their homes.
In an earlier statement, Ugandan police spokesman Fred Enanga said “The flash floods coupled with mudslides, caused extensive damage to food and cash crops, permanent and semi-permanent houses were broken, while others were submerged. As a result, 22 lives (now 25) were lost and 10 others critically injured. The search for more bodies and other movable properties that could have submerged is still ongoing. The Directorate of Fire and Rescue Services, Police Health Services and Logistics have mobilized additional resources to help our territorial teams in the search and rescue efforts.”
Some of the victims who died were recovered in a minibus on their way to a party. Police officials recovered six bodies, including a 15-year-old. In addition to the loss of life, there has also been a significant loss of animals including livestock.
The Red Cross has deployed to Uganda in an effort to help assist police and fire officials in searching for more who have been reported missing.