By Watera Atai,
BUTALEJA
Residents in Butaleja are living in fear after floods ravaged their crops fields following heavy downpours. The floods occured after days of heavy rainfall caused rivers to overflow on Thursday.
The heavy rains forced Manafwa and Nakwasi rivers to burst their banks damaging several homes, displacing hundreds of residents and destroying crop gardens. The floods also blocked many roads in the area disrupting transport and livelihoods.
At least four sub-counties in the district have been flooded and many families have been affected.
The floods have cut off Mbale-Butaleja road has been cut off by floods leaving passengers and other road users especially school children stranded. Also, movement along the Butaleja-Mbale road has been restricted by the police, advising motorists to utilize the Bunghaji-Budaka road for access to Mbale and other parts of Butaleja.
One casualty has so far been reported and about six people are reported missing suspected to have been washed away by running waters.
Michael Higenyi, the district chairperson LC5 appeals to the government to intervene and rescue the affected families with relief food and housing facilities. He said his office has already notified the Office of the Prime Minister to extend relief aid to the affected sub-counties.
He said that areas such as Himutu, Bufuja-Kachonga town council, and Butaleja town council are among the most affected sub-counties.
Residents attributed the devastating floods to unsustainable farming practices, including deforestation and encroachment on riverbanks calling for climate change.
