Floods displace thousands in Budalang’i

By Renson Buluma

Floods are back in Budalang’i after a four-year reprieve.

More than 4,500 people in Budalang’i and Bunyala districts have been displaced by floodwaters after River Nzoia burst its banks.

The southern dyke that was recently rehabilitated by National Water Irrigation Board could not resist the forceful waters that flooded Magombe, Khunambusi and Busagwa area forcing hundreds of families to abandon their homes.

Resdents told The Standard that water started overflowing the two points on the southern dyke at around 7pm on Saturday.

"This is the first time we have seen water overflowing the dyke with such intensity," said Father Fredrick Ojilong, the presiding priest at Magombe Catholic Church.

Hundreds of structures, including homes, churches and a local police post at Nyadorera in Siaya were swamped.

Villagers could be seen carrying their belongings as they waded through waters while others used boats to salvage their property.

The waters are now threatening to cut off Bunyala South from the rest of the country.

Area councillor, Charles Otete expressed fears that the situation could soon degenerate into a disaster if the Government did not move fast to contain the situation.

"Parts of the dyke have been weakened and could give in anytime," warned Otete, saying there was need for urgent intervention to provide relief aid in form of shelter, food and drugs and water purification solutions.

Local police led by Busia OCPD Erastus Muthamia and military officers from Hakati barrack arrived to help in the evacuation of families trapped in their homes.

Western PC Samuel Kilele visited the area and blamed the locals for not taking Government warnings seriously.

Unprepared

"Had these people taken our advice seriously, they wouldn’t have been found unprepared," stated Kilele.

He, however, affirmed Government’s commitment to help the affected saying 500 bags of rice and 200 bags of beans were being dispatched to the area.

Kilele added that the Government had already hired trucks to help evacuate displaced families to higher grounds.

Displaced families were seen camping at Ruambwa trading centre, Busangwa Primary School and Magombe Catholic Church.

Meanwhile, residents of Bunyala South blamed area MP Ababu Namwamba for misleading the Government and other well-wishers on the situation on the ground.

They accused the MP of moving around the country boasting how his leadership had played a major part in controlling the floods yet nothing had been done on the ground.