The death toll in flood-stricken Maban County of Upper Nile State has risen to seven, the Acting County Commissioner said Sunday, as residents continue to call for help.
“The situation in Maban is very bad. Floodwaters have submerged the county. I can confirm the death toll has risen from three to seven,” Mumin Khidir told Radio Tamazuj. “But water levels have risen higher today [Sunday]; we don’t know what happened among the residents. We are yet to confirm.”
The local official, who is in the town of Bunj, described the floods as “just total devastation, the likes of which we have never seen”.
According to the acting commissioner, the floods left the county isolated.
“As Maban County, we are neighbours to Melut and Renk counties from the northern part, and goods used to come to our area from Renk and Melut. The area has been cut off by the floods for almost a month, so our situation is dire,” he said. “We are suffering; the price of sorghum has increased dramatically.”
The death toll could still rise further, according to the local official. “Today [Sunday], the flooding has become very heavy, so we are yet to assess the damages. We cannot move around because of the floods. The area is at a standstill due to floods,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Kamal Khawaja, a director of health services in Maban, reported an outbreak of waterborne disease, as health organizations and authorities stepped up efforts to ensure the provision of medicines to the floods-affected people.
“The floods have affected the area. There are diseases like malaria, infections, cough and diarrhoea, but most people suffer from cough. Some organizations have supplied us with medicines, and the health ministry also brought medicines on Friday,” he said. “Those who are sick can now get medicines.”
Last week, authorities reported that the floods in Maban destroyed houses, roads, and schools and have left many people in search of higher ground. The floods prevented humanitarian access to the affected communities.