The commissioner of Maban County in Upper Nile, Professor John Juma, said that authorities are preparing to prevent Khor Yabus from flooding as seasonal rains continue to deluge the county.
He explained that workers have put sand bags in places and opened diversionary streams out of fear that the river could overflow into settlements of both refugees and Maban natives.
The commissioner added that many Blue Nile refugees have been transferred from Jamam Camp to Yusuf Batil and Jandrassa camps because Jamam lies in the valley of Khor Yabus, exposing refugees there to water-borne diseases.
He stated that the fear of potential flooding of the Khor Yabus in September was the reason for moving the refugees to Yusuf Batil and Jandrassa.
Juma contended that the situation is now under control before the onset of the flood season of Khor Yabous which falls in September. Speaking on Radio Tamazuj he wished to convey an optimistic message to the population and refugees on the stability of the conditions in the wake of prevailing rumors of an approaching flood.
Photo by Radio Tamazuj: Flooding in Jamam Refugee Camp, June 2012.