Floods kills eight, several missing in Mbale
MBALE-At least eight people have been confirmed dead in flash flooding in Mbale district and Mbale City.
Security said among the dead is Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) soldier, private Sam Chemulindwa, 26 years attached to the 53rd Battalion who was swept away by the floods on Saturday night.
The rains that started on Saturday at around 9pm till about 10am on Sunday morning, left the areas of Nkoma, Busamaga, Milo Taano, Namabasa, Busajabwankuba among others ravaged.
Mbale City mayor, Cassim Namugali said several people, especially in Namatala, Namabasa, Busamaga and Busanjjabwankuba have been left homeless.
“People’s houses, roads, Crop gardens, bridges have been washed away. The floods have also affected several schools like Livingstone International University, Wanale View, Mbale City Parents among others,”Namugali said.
The Elgon Region Police Spokesperson, Rogers Taitika confirmed the incident, saying they have recovered some bodies.
He said the bodies were taken to Mbale City mortuary pending postmortem.
The Mbale City Resident Commissioner, Ahamada Washaki, told Journalists on Sunday that bodies of nine people were recovered after Nashibiso,Nabuyonga,Namatala and Namatsi rivers burst their banks.
He added that there are fears that several other people have died, especially boda boda riders.
This reporter seen terrified people squirming for safety as water levels rose in one village, toppling houses and felling banana trees.
Irene Nafuna, one of the affected residents in Busamaga ward, said the death toll is likely to rise, with local reporters saying they spotted bodies being washed away by the torrent.
She said residents have however embarked on search and rescue operations.
At the time of publishing this report, the city’s roads were still heavily flooded, making it impossible for residents to move about.
https://thecooperator.news/floods-displace-over-4000-families-in-amolatar/
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