Experts warn of more landslides in Bugisu
MBALE – Environment experts have predicted more landslides and floods in Bugisu Sub-region if people ignore interventions designed to mitigate climate change effects.
Moses Mugisha, an environmentalist, blamed the disasters on poor farming methods, degradation of wetlands, and deforestation among others.
“People will continue dying and people will continue losing their properties because the effects of climate change have become real,” Mugisha said.
Last weekend, floods killed 29 people and destroyed several villages, leaving several families displaced after rivers, Namatala, Nabuyonga, Nashibiso, and Napwoli burst their banks.
The flooding has also paralysed the transport network, especially in Mbale, Sironko and Bududa districts. Other Bugisu Sub-region districts like Namisindwa, Bulambuli, and Manafwa are not safe either.
The floods have displaced an estimated household of 150, disrupted network infrastructure- water supplies and road network systems in the city and other services such as education, health facilities, and livelihoods.
The Mbale city environment officer Ms. Rhoda Nyaribi, said people need to move away from river banks.
“The disasters are blamed on rampant encroachment on wetlands, river banks, through mainly settlement and farming.
Bugisu Sub-region, known to possess fertile soils, is one of the densely populated regions in Uganda, with Bududa carrying over 665 people per square kilometre.
“The flash floods are because of a lot of degradation, especially upstream hills due to settlement and poor agriculture practices,” she said.
Fredrick Kiiza Kayanja, the Chief Warden Mt. Elgon Park, said the land Land has been poorly managed.
“Whenever you attempt to cultivate on the steep slopes, there will be surface runoffs, especially during these heavy rains because of cultivation,” Kiiza said.
He reasoned that since the wetlands no longer serve their natural purpose due to degradation, water, which is always loaded with soil, empties into the water bodies.
“The sedimentation and loading of the soils from the poorly managed catchments lead to the shallowness of the rivers, thereby spilling the excess water,” Kiiza said, adding: “In fact, the recent floods is as a result of soft soils being cut off from the banks due to encroachment.”
He said there is a need for restoration of the Eco system including planting trees, grass, and terracing.
The Mbale City Mayor, Cassim Namugali, said lives are at risk unless people relocated to safer places.
https://thecooperator.news/floods-displace-over-4000-families-in-amolatar/
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