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MELUT - 28 Oct 2021

Melut oil wells affected by floods, official says

Authorities in Melut County of South Sudan's Upper Nile State said about 200 oil wells in the Paloch oil field have been severely affected by floods and are out of service.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, Melut County Commissioner Deng Jo Ngok said the situation in the area is dire and concerted efforts are needed to reduce flood impact in the county.

He said most parts of his county, including 200 oil wells have been inundated by the floods.

"We hope that all sectors will move to confront this disaster," he said.

Jo warned that if the floods continue, the population and environment will suffer from massive pollution, noting that the people cannot access clean water due to partial water pollution.

For his part, Doctor Ajang Deng, the director of health services in Melut Primary Health Centre, described the situation as dire as floodwaters continue to rise.

He said health centers in the Galdra, Paloch, and Panomdeid areas have become inaccessible due to the floods.

"Under these circumstances, we expect the emergence of diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, and cholera amidst a lack of medicines in health facilities in the county," he warned.