A landslide in eastern Uganda’s Bulambuli district has claimed 17 lives, with over 100 people reported missing. Triggered by heavy rainfall on Wednesday, the landslide buried numerous homes and disrupted entire communities. Government officials have issued warnings about the risks associated with living in flood-prone areas, while search and rescue operations continue for survivors.
On Friday, the Ugandan government announced that the death toll from a landslide in eastern Uganda has risen to 17, with over 100 individuals still unaccounted for. The disaster struck in Bulambuli district, approximately 300 kilometers east of Kampala, where heavy rainfall triggered the landslide on Wednesday, burying numerous homes in several villages. Local television reports depicted extensive areas engulfed in mud, where housing and educational institutions previously existed. Survivors mourned their missing relatives as rescue teams conducted efforts to locate any potentially trapped individuals.
Charles Odongtho, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, expressed his dismay at the rising death toll, particularly given the government’s warnings about landslide risks issued prior to the seasonal rains. According to the Uganda Red Cross Society, at least 45 households were entirely buried, with others experiencing varying degrees of damage. Lawmaker Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudimi lamented the loss of his niece and newborn, who were among the victims.
In light of this tragedy, the Ugandan government has urged citizens residing in vulnerable areas to evacuate to safer locations. Search and rescue operations are currently being conducted by the police and Red Cross teams. Uganda has been experiencing unprecedented rainfall that has resulted in significant flooding and landslides, exacerbated by deforestation in mountainous regions, which increases the susceptibility to such disasters. This area has a history of landslides, including a major avalanche in 2010 that resulted in the loss of at least 80 lives.
In the mountainous regions of eastern Uganda, heavy seasonal rains often lead to natural disasters such as landslides and flooding. The increased risk has been largely attributed to deforestation and the cultivation of arable land on unstable slopes, which remove natural vegetation that otherwise helps to stabilize the soil. Despite existing early warning systems aimed at alerting the population to potential hazards, many communities remain vulnerable to these environmental threats, as exemplified by the tragic landslide that recently devastated the Bulambuli district.
The recent landslide in Bulambuli district serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by communities in landslide-prone areas of Uganda. With 17 confirmed fatalities and over 100 individuals missing, the need for effective disaster preparedness and response measures is critical. The Ugandan government’s initiative to relocate residents from high-risk zones aims to mitigate the impacts of future disasters while highlighting the urgent need for sustainable land management practices in the region.
Original Source: dunyanews.tv
