Uganda on Thursday issued a disaster alert warning that parts of the country will face floods, landslides, mudslides, hailstorms and lightning as the first rain season starts.
Esther Anyakun, Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, told reporters that parts of eastern, central, western regions and the Lake Victoria basin would experience near-normal to above-normal forms of rainfall up to May, which is likely to lead to the destruction of farmland, crops and a surge of water-related-diseases such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery and malaria.
She said the government is disseminating early warning messages, and building the capacities of individuals, communities and institutions to reduce risks and enhance greater resilience.
“As we continue to monitor these changes and progress of the rainfall episodes, we encourage disaster management structures at the district to continue with sensitization and monitoring of early signals and encourage the communities to take early action,” said Anyakun.
She said the government is going to relocate persons at risk of landslides in the mountainous eastern Bugisu region to safer places, under the Bulambuli resettlement program.
“A total of 305 houses have so far been constructed, of which 42 are newly constructed. The relocation of households will take place in April,” said Anyakun.
Xinhua
