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TONJ SOUTH - 11 Oct 2013

Flood affects 42,000 people in Tonj South, Warrap state

A member of parliament in Warrap State Legislative Assembly confirmed that at least 42,000 people are affected by flood in Tonj South, Warrap state. They are experiencing a shortage of food and shelter as the situation "worsens".

MP Toby Mayuen, who representing Tonj South’s constituency, warned the people are living in dire conditions. He told Radio Tamazuj that the death toll continues to rise among children and elderly, also due to snake bites.

Mayuen also noted that a large number of people have fled their homes in search of high places to stay safe. 

The MP is calling for an urgent intervention from the government and international organisations “to save lives of the suffering citizens.”

In early October, at least 12 people were bitten by snakes after flooding caused an infestation of them in populated areas of Tonj North County in Warrap State.

'20 dead'

Sudan Tribune reports that at least 20 have been reported dead in Gogrial West County with over a million acres of crops, several homes and infrastructures destroyed. Schools have been temporarily closed in the county.

Warrap state dispatched a parliamentary committee to assess the level of damage caused by floods due to heavy rains which caused rivers to burst their banks.

The head of the committee, Dominic Deng Mayom, confirmed the affected people are in need of urgent of food, medicine, shelter and blankets.

Calling what is happening “a big disaster”, a relief organisation's employee is asking the international community to provide supplementary funds on top of what the South Sudanese government has already availed in response to this “tragedy”.

The director for public relations in the office of Warrap State governor’s office said “The flood has reached its climax. Its impact has been tragic. 700 homes are ruined; the homes have remained for crocodiles and snakes.’’