113 Missing After Landslides Bury Houses in Eastern Uganda

In eastern Uganda, 113 individuals remain unaccounted for following deadly landslides that have killed at least 15 people. Torrential rain triggered these landslides, which buried over 40 houses. Search and rescue operations are actively underway by various organizations, including local residents and emergency services, due to widespread flooding impact.

In eastern Uganda, the aftermath of massive landslides has left at least 113 individuals unaccounted for, while the confirmed death toll has risen to 15, according to police reports. The landslides, triggered by intense rainfall, have buried over 40 houses across six villages in the Bulambuli district. Authorities have indicated that search and rescue operations by police, the military, and local organizations are ongoing, focusing on locating the missing individuals. Among the retrieved victims, 15 injured persons have been admitted to medical facilities for treatment. Local rivers have overflowed, leading to the flooding of educational institutions and places of worship, as well as the destruction of vital infrastructure, contributing to the isolation of communities affected by the disaster.

This tragic event highlights the recurring issue of landslides in eastern Uganda, a phenomenon that has claimed over 1,000 lives in the past decade alone. The region is grappling with increasingly erratic rainfall patterns, which have been linked to climate change and rising temperatures. The current circumstances underscore the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters, particularly in areas prone to heavy rainfall and geological instability. Such events have significant humanitarian implications, calling for ongoing recovery efforts and preventive measures to safeguard local populations.

In summary, the landslides in eastern Uganda represent a critical humanitarian crisis, with ongoing search and rescue operations aimed at finding the 113 missing individuals amidst the unfortunate loss of at least 15 lives. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by climate-related events in the region, demanding both immediate action and long-term strategies to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters.

Original Source: www.aa.com.tr