Floods in Duk Pagak County of Jonglei State, caused by heavy rains, have killed at least 170 cattle, a local official said.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, Duk Pagak County Commissioner James Yien Jal said the county has faced shortages of veterinary medicines and vaccines since October 4.

 “Those 170 cows died and were confirmed in the areas of Chindiir, Panyok and Chuat,” he explained.

The local official called on the Ministry of Animal Resources and health organizations to provide them with veterinary medicines so that the cattle are vaccinated.

 For his part, the state agriculture minister, John Dut Kuch said most of the cattle died in the greater Duk and Twic areas, adding that his ministry is engaging health agencies to intervene.

Over 65 percent of the population in South Sudan relies on livestock for their survival. Cattle are used not only for milk and meat, but to pay dowry to the bride’s family before a marriage in many parts of the country.