A woman drowned and her 8-month-old baby survives in floodwaters in Ayod County of Jonglei State on Thursday, local officials said.
The incident took place in the Goek area near the Jonglei Canal.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj last Friday, Albino Gatkek, the deputy county’s Executive Director said, “The deceased Nyancien Biliu, with her baby, was trying to cross the Canal from the west to the east using a crossing rope tied to trees at both ends. But in the middle, floodwaters waves overpowered and washed her away.”
“Her 8-month-old baby survived because he was placed in a saucepan during the crossing,” he added.
The local official pointed out that the body of the deceased has yet to be recovered.
For his part, Gabriel Tot, the county Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) coordinator, confirmed the incident, saying it is due to a lack of transportation means in the county.
“Such incidents could be averted if they were boats for crossings in Ayod. Jonglei Canal is overflooded and the floodwaters waves are very powerful. So again, we appeal to the government and aid agencies to help us,” Tot said.
The level of floodwaters has been rapidly rising in parts of Jonglei state over the past weeks, leading to massive destruction and displacement.
In the Ayod area, at least 10 people, including a woman with a baby strapped on her back, drowned in floodwaters since September.