Yasiin Mugerwa
11 September 2007
Kampala — AFTER weeks of heavy rains that swept through Lango sub-region in the north, at least one person has been confirmed dead.
Mr Benson Obua-Ogwal, the MP for Moroto County in Lira District, told Daily Monitor over the weekend that a car that was transporting an asthmatic widow, Rose Achen to Aleptong Health Centre got stuck on the road. A bicycle was got to take her but she died on the way to the clinic.
He said the heavy intermittent rains have caused water logging in many sub-counties and internally displaced persons in the affected areas are spending nights in the cold.
"Houses (huts) of returnees are crumbling and soon we shall close all the IDP camps in the region. It's a disaster and we appeal for urgent government intervention before we lose more people," Mr Obua said.
The floods in Lango come days after heavy rains caused havoc in Teso sub-region, paralysing transport and causing a famine threat.
Teso floods kill five
More than 100,000 people have been displaced from Amuria, Soroti, Kumi and Katakwi districts with five deaths reported so far.
Mr Obua said the situation has escalated and residents are worried, adding that even those who had just returned to their homes are moving back to the IDP camps which are about to be closed.
He said a strange fungal disease has attacked the people and cows. Mr Obua said he suspects this is probably because the animals and residents have been exposed to water and moisture for a long time.
State Minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru told Daily Monitor that a rescue team would head to Lango tomorrow (Wednesday).
" We have been handling the floods in Teso, but we have already taken a decision to close all camps in Oyam, the most affected area as we rescue others," he said.
"We never anticipated floods of this magnitude but as government we are doing everything possible provision of relief items to the affected people."
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