By Emmanuel Okol

More than 2000 households in Palam Sub County, Ngariam, Okore, Magoro and Ongongoja in Katakwi district are out in the cold after being displaced by floods.

The flood victims have pitched camp in various places following the flooding triggered by heavy rains that have pounded the district over the last past one week. The floods have also destroyed several acres of crop gardens.

Moses Iteit, the chairperson LCIII Ngariam sub-county says a total of 310 households were affected by the floods which submerged their houses and gardens.

He says all the roads connecting various corners of the sub-county are currently cut off.

Charles Okello, a resident of Oedipus where the flood has submerged says the situation is appalling because they don’t have enough items to use.

He has called for the intervention of government and development partners to provide tents, mosquito nets, and relief food to the flood victims.

John Stephen Ariko, the LC11 chairperson Akisim parish in Ngariam Sub-county, whose two hectares of mature cassava and sweet potatoes were washed away by floods, said 780 farms of crops, especially cassava, groundnuts, green gram, and potatoes among others have been submerged by floods in his area.

Samson Emorut, an elder, at Palam Sub County who is now living in fear with his family of twelve members says they don’t have any food since their gardens were destroyed by floods.

So far only local politicians have come to the aid of the displaced households.

Meanwhile, Geoffrey Omolo, the chairman LCV Katakwi district in his statement said, that the district has tried its best to see that all roads cut can be handled but a lot of water is still flashing to the district.

Omolo said he has directed the LC1 and LC3 chairpersons to compile the data detailing the damage caused by floods and submit it to his office.

He said that data once submitted to his office will be sent to the Prime minister's office for relief.

According to Omolo, the most affected sub-counties include Ongongoja, Usuk, Magoro, Katakwi, Toroma, Ngariam, Kapujan, Katakwi town council and Palam.

He urged the people of Katakwi sitting where there is water logging to be careful and ask parents to protect School-going children from roads that water has crossed.

However, in his submission, RDC Katakwi district Rtd Maj Godfrey Katamba urges the public of Katakwi to be vigilant because everywhere is flooded.

“We are facing a serious situation whose full extent and repercussions we are yet to determine,” said Katamba.