By Deng Ghai Deng
Floodwaters have overrun Fangak County’s headquarters in Jonglei state, displacing over 6,000 residents and causing widespread devastation.
Boutrus Biel, the county commissioner, reported that essential infrastructure had been destroyed, leaving displaced individuals without shelter, food, and other necessities.
Biel has begun mobilizing boats to relocate residents to New Fangak and has called for urgent assistance from humanitarian agencies and both state and national governments.
Fangak’s location, situated between the River Nile and the Zerab River, has intensified the crisis.
“I am now with the displaced people and everything is destroyed. People lack, shelter, food, and other necessities of life. I am now mobilizing boats for them to be relocated to New Fangak. We appeal to the humanitarian agencies, the state government as well was national government to treat the situation in Fanagak differently because Fangak is an island located between River Nile and Zerab River,” Biel said.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has issued a warning for residents in low-lying areas and along the Nile’s banks, advising them to relocate as the river is anticipated to overflow.
Undersecretary Peter Mahal Ohien highlighted that several areas, including Lologo in Juba, Gondokoro, Mangala, and Bor, are at high risk for severe flooding.
The UN reports that approximately 7.1 million people in South Sudan are experiencing acute food insecurity, worsened by climate-related shocks, economic instability, and ongoing conflict.
Efforts to address the impacts of the flooding continue as the situation remains critical.