Severe water shortage has hit Duk Pagak County in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, a local official said on Friday.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the county commissioner, James Yien Jal said the situation was “dire” as the villagers have, since last week, been forced to walk long distances to find water.
He said two of the four boreholes serving people have broken down.
“The issue of water is now emerging as a big problem in Duk Pagak County. So now in Panyok and Chindiir payams, there is only one borehole. In Pajimaar there is no borehole at all. In Athany payam, there is one borehole, but it is not functioning,” said Jal.
The county official warned that the current situation could worsen health situations in the county given that locals drink contaminated water.
“The situation becomes a problem as people move with their cattle to water points. They are contaminating water, and we are also hosting people from the neighboring communities,” added Jal.
He urged humanitarian agencies operating in the area to intervene.
Duk Pagak borders Boma and Bieh States.