At present people in the Kasese District are experiencing a serious problem since heavy rain fell during the night and caused the rivers to rise greatly. The main rivers, namely Nyamwamba, Nyamugasani and Mubuku, have swollen and have thus led to flooding in many areas. The Nyamwamba River is the most severe case as it broke its banks and water flooded into the homes in Kasese Municipality.
Officials at the local level state that over 80 houses have been damaged by the floodwater, with at least 20 families being forced to leave their homes and seek other places to stay. The water has also covered the roads and farmland. Many of the people who live close to the rivers are concerned since the rainy season is still going on and more rain may arrive.
The Kasese District is situated at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains. When heavy rain falls on the mountains, the water flows down rapidly into the rivers. As a result the rivers rise quickly and at times overflow. The authorities state that the River Nyamwamba has some weak points at which the water can easily break out and enter the communities.
Zedekiah Kayiri, who is the Deputy Town Clerk of Kasese Municipality, spoke regarding the problem. He stated that the river has always had weak spots and that the Ministry of Water and Environment should act quickly. He requested that the government find a permanent solution so that flooding will not occur every year. “We need assistance at this time before even more rain arrives,” he said.
Joseph Isingoma, who is the District Disaster Focal Person, also cautions the people. He states that this flood is a warning to all those who live in low-lying areas and close to the rivers. He advises the residents to stay away from the river banks and to go to higher ground if the water continues to rise. He adds that more rain is expected in the coming days and therefore people should be careful.
A great many residents feel scared since this type of flood occurs nearly every rainy season. Some of them lose their crops and animals, while others have to give up their household belongings when the water gets into their houses. One resident stated that the water came very quickly during the night and that they were only able to save a few things.
Local leaders are asking the government for greater support. They desire a better drainage system and solid barriers along the rivers. They also want an early warning system which functions properly so that people have time to evacuate before the flood arrives. The officials state that the present situation shows Kasese has still not become fully prepared for heavy rains.
The police and disaster teams are already on the ground to assist the affected families; they help people to get to safe locations and provide them with some temporary aid. The leaders are asking the public to take the warnings seriously and not attempt to cross the flooded rivers since the water is dangerous.
The flood problem has never been new in Kasese; the district has experienced similar situations on many occasions. However, the authorities state that this time the water level rose higher than normal following the overnight rain and they hope that the Ministry will act swiftly and begin work to protect the communities.
As the rainy season goes on, the people of Kasese stay highly alert. They keep a close eye on the rivers and pray that no further heavy rain will come any time soon. Since the flooding has already caused suffering for many families, the leaders have stated that more assistance is required in order to reduce the risk in the future.
The state of affairs in Kasese illustrates the impact that climate conditions and heavy rainfall can have on ordinary people. The authorities are still keeping a close watch on the rivers and are providing updates to the public. People are advised to remain safe and to follow the advice given by the disaster team.
Flood Alerts in Kasese as Rivers Swell
