Hunger looms in Katakwi district as floods destroy farms

KATWAKI– A food crisis in Katakwi district is likely to worsen as floods occasioned by the ongoing heavy rains continue to devastate the area, leaving several hectares of different crops on farms submerged.

The most affected areas are; Angodingodi, Amusia, Magoro, Ngariam Omodoi, Usuku, and Palama sub-counties.

This reporter visited the affected sub-counties where farmers were seen uprooting premature cassava, and potatoes while others were standing helplessly in their flooded gardens in disbelief.

Grace Ikosile, a mother of seven and a resident of Amen village in Akisim parish Ngariam Sub-county, who uprooting not yet mature cassava tubers, cried as she narrated the loss of her three acres of the crop, two acres of groundnuts, and one hectare of sweet potatoes she planted in the first season.

According to her, she expected to get about Shs 2.5 million, from the crops after selling.

“I was going to use the money to start a piggery project in order to increase my income. I am heartbroken that my dream will not come true,” she said.

Deo Okurut, another affected from Amen village said floods attributed the floods to the heavy downpour that currently pounds the area day and night.

“Farmers were happy when rains returned early in August, but it has become too much hence floods which have destroyed different crops thus making our lives more miserable,” he added.

Okurut said his three acres of groundnuts and three hectares of cassava have been submerged by floods and that as a result, his family of five is on the verge of starvation.

“As we talk, all the gardens have been submerged. For five days now, the water in the gardens is almost at knee-level, making even harvesting of ready cassava difficult,” he said.

Okurut told the reporter that had said he spent about Shs 1 million for planting and weeding both groundnuts and Cassava expecting to rip both but his hope has been shuttered by the floods on the farms.

“With the groundnuts and cassava destroyed, I have nothing to feed my family, I will not even be able to pay school fees for my children,” Okurut said.

John Stephen Ariko, the LC11 chairperson Akisim parish in Ngariam Sub-county, whose two hectares of mature cassava and sweet potatoes were washed away by floods, said 780 farms of crops, especially cassava, groundnuts, green gram, and potatoes among others have been submerged by floods in his area.

He said data has been collected from the farms in five villages of Amen, Atapar, Alungar, Agurut, and Akisim under Akisim parish.

“Not only have the floods destroyed crops, but they have also submerged 20 pit latrines and displaced five families,” said Ariko.

According to Ariko, the displaced families had moved to take refuge in Akisim trading center.

He noted that the destruction of houses and acreages of crops on farms has left the affected people miserable.

Ariko noted that one person has died so far since the rains started, adding that some of the community roads that link farmers to markets within the district have become impassable due to raging floods.

“We cannot even risk entering soaked pit latrines because one can end up falling inside,” Anna   Grace Adeke, a resident of Kipinyang village in Magoro Sub-county, said.

She said mud and wattle houses have been left on the ground, while semi-permanent ones have been weakened with visible cracks, putting the families in danger.

Recounting their suffering, Adeke said they cannot sleep because all the beddings are wet and others have been swept away.

George William Opus, a resident of Palam Sub-county told this reporter that the rain was too much and likely to sweep children away.

He said even the water sources are now contaminated due to poor disposal of human excretion.

“The Government and other concerned leaders should intervene before the cholera outbreak hits the district again” he appealed.

Meanwhile, Hellen Ilaboroto whose three hectares of cassava and two huts have been washed away by floods lashed at the district leaders for reportedly neglecting them in the hour of need.

She regretted having elected them to various elective positions because they lack lobbying skills.

“People have been crying for floods but leaders have been silent one has even visited the affected areas, they are there sited in their offices enjoying cool air while people who elected them are suffering with raging flood water,” said Alaboroto, with tears rolling down her cheeks.

The district LCV chairperson Geoffrey Omolo said he has directed the LC1 and LC3 chairpersons to compile the data detailing the damage caused by floods and submit it to his office.

He said that data once submitted to his office will be sent to the office of the Prime minister for relief.

Omolo said an appeal for help has been sent to Members of Parliament to approach the Office of the Prime Minister for relief, adding that the most needed items include tarpaulins, water purification tablets, food, and medicines.

“We are facing a serious situation whose full extent and repercussions we are yet to determine,” said Omolo.

https://thecooperator.news/floods-submerge-gardens-in-adjumani/

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