Heavy Rains Devastate Yambio and Parts of Western Equatoria
Heavy Rains Devastate Yambio and Parts of Western Equatoria
By Elias Ginana
Residents in Yambio and other areas in Western Equatoria recently experienced heavy downpours that left a trail of destruction. Torrential rains that began on Tuesday night and continued through Wednesday wreaked havoc, destroying homes and leaving some areas inaccessible. The prolonged rainfall, which is uncommon for this time of year, disrupted businesses and hindered farmers from reaching their fields.
Anisa FM Radio spoke to several affected residents, including single mothers who have lost their homes and belongings. These women now face an uncertain future, as the current economic crisis in South Sudan makes it difficult to rebuild. Many of them, who relied on small-scale subsistence farming and informal businesses, are struggling to envision how they will recover from this disaster.
In addition to the damage to homes, several streams that connect Yambio to agricultural areas were rendered impassable. Many retail businesswomen, especially those who sell goods in open markets, faced significant challenges as customer traffic slowed to a halt. The rains have further strained an already struggling local economy, with many residents unable to access the goods and services they depend on.
Numerous calls and directives have been made by the government, calling on the public to plant more trees but the directives have been partially taken into action due to negligence.
In 2023, similar heavy rains cut off Western Equatoria from the capital, Juba, after the Kuyangu bridge in Ibba County was washed away. For months, residents were only able to travel to Juba by air, until the bridge was finally rebuilt. Ibba, Nzara, and other villages in the eastern part of the state have also experienced flood-related disasters in the past, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather patterns.
