Flash floods caused by recent heavy downpour have destroyed several houses in Juba Na Bari residential area of Juba.
The victims attributed the flooding to the construction of a three-storey building on a channel, which blocked the flow of water.
Some of the affected residents, who spoke to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, urged the state authorities to urgently address the issue.
Alfredo Brun, a 67-year-old resident of Juba Na Bari since 1986, said many houses had been damaged, while others had become weaker and were on the verge of collapse.
“I have been in this house for nearly 40 years, and with this destruction, I have been returned to zero level, all my investment has gone within one day,” he said.
The father of 10 said the floods crossed into people’s homes after the three-storey house blocked the water channel.
“Now, I don’t have anywhere to stay with my family. I am stranded, and I am now staying in an open place with my family. I am therefore appealing to the government of Central Equatoria State to help us,” he said.
Marina Doki, who has been residing in the area for 50 years, said many houses were on the verge of collapse as she appealed to the state government for rescue.
“If this rain comes for the second or the third time, or even the fourth time, it will wash all of us away. We would like the government to help us because if nothing is done, this area will be washed-down completely up to Juba Airport,” said Doki.
The Central Equatoria State Minister of Land and Housing, Fred Luku, visited the affected families on Friday and promised to forward the report to the governor for intervention.
“We have come to assess the situation and to know whose house has been destroyed so that we can see what to do and how to compensate those affected,” said Luku.