Oct 5, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — At least six more people including three siblings have drowned along the Jonglei Canal in Ayod County since the beginning of this month, October 2020.
According to County Executive Director, Albino Gatkek Tiek, the three children were between the age of 1 and 12.
“Three siblings aged between 1 and 12 drowned along the Canal on Thursday as their mother tried crossing them to Pigi County. Their father is called Wuor Hoth Machar.” said Albino Gatkek Tiek, the County Executive Director.
“In the Mogok area, Tagig Jal, 27, also drowned as he tried to cross the Canal. The other cases are of two men who were found coming floating northwards along the Canal,” said Albino Gatkek Tiek, the County Executive Director.
Albino Gatkek said that the county government is unable to rescue civilians stranded in floodwaters.
“As the county government, we tried to control the floodwaters but we are overstretched. So, civilians are left to help themselves. As we speak, families left in the areas to the west of the Canal stay on the roofs of collapsed buildings,” he said.
This has led to deaths as these civilians try to cross the river in search of help.
The death toll in the area has now risen to 10 since late last month.
Gabriel Tot, the County Relief and Rehabilitation Commission coordinator, called upon the government and aid agencies to assist in rescuing those stranded as well as provide food to the displaced people in Ayod town, Wau, Kwacdeng, and Mogok areas.
WFP reported that more than 36 counties have been affected by the floods in South Sudan leaving thousands of families without shelter or food.
“There is a very significant flood, which is covering vast areas of the country. More than 36 counties of the country are under water, submerging entire villages, homes, farmsteads, killing livestock and putting an end to livelihoods.” said Matthew Hollingworth, World Food program Country Director in South Sudan.
Most areas in Ayod county and especially the Islands are submerged in water.
With thousands of people and their livestock stranded, cases of malaria, typhoid and other waterborne diseases are increasing.
