Mbale flash floods death toll rises to 24, scores still missing

Mbale flash floods death toll rises to 24, scores still missing
At least 24 people have been confirmed dead as a result of record flooding in Mbale District, eastern Uganda

Mbale, Uganda | URN | The death toll of eastern Uganda flooding has risen to 24. Today, at least 14 more bodies have been retrieved from River Nabuyonga in Mbale City Industrial Division with several still missing.

Of the 14 retrieved, 10 bodies were recovered from a Super Custom vehicle they were travelling in reportedly for a traditional introduction ceremony Kabwangasi sub-county in Butebo district from Kampala.

The vehicle was one of the many that plunged into rivers or got swept downhill following the heavy rains that pounded eastern Uganda on Saturday evening through to Sunday morning.

Uganda Police Force (UPF) said flooding and landslides struck following heavy rain on the slopes of Mount Elgon late on 30 July 2022. 

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Heavy rains ravaged the districts of Bulambuli, Kapchorwa, and Mbale which has been the most hit with at least 21 confirmed deaths.

Uganda Red Cross said several rivers including the Nabuyonga and Namatala overflowed in Mbale District. 

Mbale city resident commissioner, Ahamda Washaki yesterday said there are fears that many more people could have died from the floods and are their bodies still in the water. He said that there is a need to deploy the police marine unit to search for the missing bodies.