Dyke construction at Mabior’gol’s Jonglei state/courtesy photo
In anticipation of potential floods as the rainy season begins, Jonglei State authorities are doubling efforts to construct major dykes to prevent devastation.
According to a statement seen by Standard Zone News, Jonglei Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok, has directed county commissioners to ensure the construction of numerous dykes.
Currently, the state has started construction of a major dyke in Mabior’gol, one of the flood prone areas between Bor and Twic East counties, a significant step towards protecting residents from flood devastation.
Governor Gai reiterated the government’s commitment to providing services, adding that the current dyke would aid in safeguarding residents.
“As a government, we have recognized the natural occurrence of floods and have taken early measures to heed Mabior’gol’s warnings,” Gai said
The governor appealed to humanitarian agencies and well-wishers to assist citizens affected by flooding and its consequences.
Juach Arok Juach, the county commissioner of Twic East County, highlighted the impact of floods, which includes displacement and destruction of property.
Commissioner Arok pledged to ensure that all available resources are utilized to protect people and their property.
“We are doing everything necessary to ensure that the impact is reduced to the barest minimum. We shall also ensure that those in flood-prone areas are safe,” he affirmed.
On his part, Michael Mading Akueth, chairperson of the State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), reported that thousands of people have been displaced, while those remaining live in fear as the rainy season commences.
He explained that flooding has rendered many areas vulnerable and inaccessible to humanitarian workers.
Jonglei State, a region prone to flooding, has experienced floods for the past five years, resulting in the displacement of thousands of residents.
In 2021, approximately 30,000 people were displaced from their homes in parts of Bor County, Jonglei State, due to floods.
Several residents reported that the floods, caused by heavy rains and the overflow of the River Nile, are affecting parts of Bor, destroying homes and livelihoods.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 600,000 people have been affected by flooding in areas along the White Nile since July 2021, with Jonglei and Lakes being the worst-affected states.
Heavy rains have caused rivers to breach their dykes and banks, inundating vast areas and settlements along the White Nile in the center of the country.
The majority of displaced individuals have moved to higher ground near their homes and intend to return once the floodwaters recede.
In Bor South, over 33,000 people previously displaced by conflict and flooding in Twic East and Duk counties to the north have moved west into Awerial county and are currently sheltering in the Mingkaman town IDP settlement in Lakes State.
With the commencement of rainy season, early and thorough preparedness is paramount for the protection of lives and property.
