Floods destroy crops in Nebbi
Floods have destroyed over 1,400 acres of crops in Wadelai sub-county, Nebbi district.
By B. Okethwengu
Floods have destroyed over 1,400 acres of crops in Wadelai sub-county, Nebbi district. The floods have also rendered roads impassable, while residents from at least 15 affected villages have resorted to drinking the flood water because access to boreholes has also been cut off.
Sam Bijik, the Wadelai sub-county chief, said the worst hit parishes as Pakwinyo and Ragem. He said some of the crops destroyed included cassava, millet, sorghum, sim-sim, rice, cotton, maize, potatoes, sugarcane and groundnuts.
Bijik explained that unlike other areas in the country that had flooded due to rainfall, the area flooded with water from River Oraa which connects to River Nile through the sub-county.
“Wadelai experienced moderate rainfall, this calamity came from River Oraa, which hosts many tributaries from Zombo district and the Democratic Republic of Congo to River Nile,†Bijik said.
He added that there was a growing fear among the residents of Wadelai that the situation would worsen if the current rain pattern in Zombo district and Congo did not change.
Charles Odwonga, one of the victims whose four acres of cassava are submerged urged the Government to rescue them.
A team of district officials, led by Nebbi district chairman Robert Okumu, visited the area on Monday to ascertain the level of damage caused.
Floods have destroyed over 1,400 acres of crops in Wadelai sub-county, Nebbi district. The floods have also rendered roads impassable, while residents from at least 15 affected villages have resorted to drinking the flood water because access to boreholes has also been cut off.
Sam Bijik, the Wadelai sub-county chief, said the worst hit parishes as Pakwinyo and Ragem. He said some of the crops destroyed included cassava, millet, sorghum, sim-sim, rice, cotton, maize, potatoes, sugarcane and groundnuts.
Bijik explained that unlike other areas in the country that had flooded due to rainfall, the area flooded with water from River Oraa which connects to River Nile through the sub-county.
“Wadelai experienced moderate rainfall, this calamity came from River Oraa, which hosts many tributaries from Zombo district and the Democratic Republic of Congo to River Nile,†Bijik said.
He added that there was a growing fear among the residents of Wadelai that the situation would worsen if the current rain pattern in Zombo district and Congo did not change.
Charles Odwonga, one of the victims whose four acres of cassava are submerged urged the Government to rescue them.
A team of district officials, led by Nebbi district chairman Robert Okumu, visited the area on Monday to ascertain the level of damage caused.