Amuria bridge washed away by floods

Jun 07, 2018

The bridge that connects Amuria,Otuke,Abim and Kotido districts was swallowed by floods together with a canter vehicle that was passing along the bridge on Wednesday morning.

PIC: Locals trying to pull out a canter vehicle that was carried away from the bridge by the floods.(Credit:Emmanuel Alomu)

 

FLOODS

 

AMURIA - Alito Bridge connecting Amuria and Otuke districts has was washed away by floods.

 

The bridge that connects Amuria,Otuke,Abim and Kotido districts was swallowed by floods together with a canter vehicle that was passing along the bridge on Wednesday morning.

 

However, no passenger has been reported dead although the vehicle was still stark in the water.

 

The vehicle was heading with passengers to Ogwete market, Otuke district.

 

People stranded at the river. (Credit:Emmanuel Alomu) 

According to the Obalanga sub-county chairperson, Peter Okamo, transport has been crippled in the area.

 

Over 20 vehicles including buses and trailers were cut off both on the side of Ajur parish in Otuke and Alito parish in Obalanga, Amuria.

 

"Even one old woman was nearly washed away by the same floods as she tried to cross but she was rescued by people," he said.

 

Obalanga sub-county leaders also confirmed the road connecting Amare-Okungur sub-county headquarters via Aeket as one of those which are impassable as a result of the current rains.

 

The district chairperson of Amuria, Robert Okitoi Erisat also identified more roads which are impassable in the district such as Acinga-Acowa and Amuria to Katakwi district.

 

Earlier on Wednesday, residents of Amuria district attempting to cross the river. (Credit: Emmanuel Alomu) 

Okitoi called upon the central Government to come to their rescue and repair the washed bridge.

 

Isaac Opolot, the district Engineer, Amuria confirmed the water which has washed one side of the bridge was from Karamoja. 

 

He added that the contractor procured by Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) had started working on Opot bridge and was soon shifting to repair Alito bridge before the floods destroyed it.

 

"The floods are threatening to cut off Amuria-Abota via Willa but the district council has set aside some funds for repairing work starts in two- weeks' time," he said.