26 Oct 2020 | 06:02 PM UTC
South Sudan: Hundreds displaced by flooding in southern Juba October 26
Hundreds displaced by flooding in southern Juba as of October 26 after Nile bursts its banks; further disruptions likely in near term
Event
Hundreds of residents have reportedly been displaced from their homes in southern Juba as of Monday, October 26, after several days of flooding in low-lying areas of the capital. Large areas of the capital's southern Gumbo and Lologo neighborhoods are reported to have been inundated after heavy rains caused the Nile River to burst its banks on Friday, October 23, with floodwaters failing to recede over the weekend. Dozens of properties are reported to have been submerged in the flooding, with others becoming inaccessible due to waterlogged roads.
Further flooding and associated disruptions are likely in low-lying areas of Juba in the near term.
Context
Many areas of South Sudan, particularly in northern and north-central states, are prone to flooding during the rainy season that runs from April to October. Areas in the White Nile Valley are particularly vulnerable to flooding, with widespread poverty and conflict largely preventing communities from relocating out of flood-prone areas or creating buffer zones to limit the impact of torrential rainfall. The summer months generally record the highest levels of rainfall. The dilapidated state of infrastructure leaves South Sudan without any resilience to such flooding and extremely vulnerable to even routine storms. Periods of heavy rainfall can also cause significant travel disruption, including to air travel.
The 2020 rainy season has been particularly devastating for many areas of the country, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimating that at least 850,000 people have been impacted and more than 389,000 displaced by flooding in areas along the Nile River since July.
Advice
Those in Juba are advised to monitor local weather reports, anticipate localized transportation disruptions, avoid areas directly affected by flooding, confirm road conditions before setting out, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities. Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.
