RedCross sounds landslides warning as cracks emerge in Mbale

NATURAL DISASTER

The Uganda RedCross Society have warned communities in the Elgon region following the emergency of huge cracks in Mbale.

Irene Nakasiita, the URCS spokesperson, said their assessment team had discovered several "huge cracks" in the Elgon region.

"Meanwhile the assessment team in Mbale has encountered such huge cracks as a sign of visible movement of the soil (landslides)," Nakasiita said.

Earlier she said over 50 households (about 350 people) were camped at Buwangwa Primary School in Mbale after their houses were destroyed during the Sunday night heavy rains.

"The same rain caused a landslide in Busaano sub-county where one male (Michael Mukhaali, believed to be between 40 -45) died," she said.

Mukhaali's house was completely destroyed and covered under the mud, according to Nakasiita. She also said two other houses were destroyed in the same area, although the occupants survived.

In total, about seven villages were affected by the heavy rain and "we have teams supporting the assessment process", Nakasiita said.

"Mothers and children are affected most with huge needs ranging from lack of warm clothes, food, and all basic needs for them to cope with the bad weather amidst displacement," she said.

"The RedCross is working closely with Mbale district disaster management committee to manage the situation and the families with initial coping mechanism amidst the deadly COVID-19 threat," she added.

Nakasiita said: "We also continue to sound early warning messages to the communities in disaster prone areas across Uganda. Heavy rains are on and communities should be on alert.