Over 90,000 people have been forced from the southern part of South Sudan’s Unity State’s Rubkona County, as severe floods ravage the area.

At least nine people have been confirmed killed, and over 90,000 people have been displaced from the southern portion of South Sudan’s Unity State’s Rubkona County, as severe rains wreak havoc on the region.

According to authorities, four individuals drowned in the county, while four more died from snake bites.

According to a Radio Tamazuj report obtained by NCMP, Rubkona County Commissioner Gatluak Whichar Nyak said that 96,000 people had been relocated as a result of the floods.

“I just spoke with humanitarian organizations yesterday about obtaining humanitarian emergency services to assist in rescuing the community affected by floods; we also spoke with the governor of Unity State about obtaining water batches to assist in rescuing people from flooding water in a few areas occupied by floods,” Whichar explained. “The only areas unaffected by the floodwaters are the Rubkona county headquarters, Pakur, Ding-ding, Panhial, and Thawic; nevertheless, the whole Nhial Diu Payam, Charchar, Atomadol, and neighboring villages are submerged.”

Whichar emphasized that the situation is grave and that the people need immediate assistance. “What occurred is a disaster, and it requires immediate action. People are suffering; they lack food and shelter, and their belongings have been taken to the Rubkona county headquarters.”

The commissioner encouraged humanitarian groups to assist flood victims in their rescue efforts by clearing roads, offering mobile clinics, food, and temporary housing.

According to Philip Puot, a Nhial Diu Payam administrator in Rubkona county, the floods had swept away all communities and homes.

“The flood has forced us to relocate to the Rubkona county headquarters, where people are suffering greatly due to a lack of food, medication, and mosquito nets. People are sleeping in the open on the main road,” Puot complained.

According to Nijani Yel Baden Deng, a flood victim from Nhial Diu Payam, the elderly, women, and children bear the brunt of the disaster. According to her, the temperature is chilly and there is an invasion of mosquitos, which exposes people to diseases due to a shortage of food, blankets, medication, and mosquito nets.

“There are many repercussions of diarrhea, snakebites in the water, and Malaria, and there is no treatment available; we are in utter misery,” she said.

According to Michael Riek Malieu, a merchant and chairman of the Rubkona Traders Union, the market is flooded, and traders are taking shelter inside the county offices.

The chairman of the Leek community, Lam Tungwar Kueigong, has also come out in favor of the displaced communities, pleading with the Unity state administration, humanitarian organizations, and individuals of good will to assist them.

Tungwar claims that houses and property have been damaged, leaving thousands of people homeless and unable to earn a living. He continues by noting that the displaced now face acute hunger and illness.

“At this crucial moment, we urgently need money, material assistance, and other forms of assistance to cover medicine, clothing, food, and shelter. We urge to every company and person to contribute to this wonderful cause, which will keep our people steady and sustainable till the floodwaters subside,” Tungwar said.

According to the community chairman, Unity State has been severely affected by floods, compounded by the Covid-19 epidemic.