Heavy Rains Swell the Nile in Jonglei
Unrelenting downpours since early September have left Twic East County submerged. Commissioner Juach Arok Juach reports more than 10,000 households in the county seat and nearby payams battling floodwater as the White Nile and surrounding swamps steadily rise.
Families Displaced to Highland Pockets
Many families have retreated to slender strips of highland around the Jonglei Canal, sharing space with 3,000 internally displaced households who arrived after earlier clashes in northern Jonglei, according to the commissioner.
Mounting Health Concerns for Children
Health workers warn of a spike in malaria, water-borne illnesses and mosquito infestations as stagnant pools spread. “August and September are our danger months,” Juach notes, recalling a UNICEF-backed malaria campaign launched only weeks before the water surged.
Dikes and Pumps Facing Critical Test
Community dikes erected with International Organization for Migration support already strain under the pressure. Engineers race to finish remaining sections, yet without high-capacity pumps to drain lowlands, officials fear the embankments could fail if the Nile crests further.
Authorities Call for Urgent Assistance
The county administration has appealed to Juba, humanitarian partners and the private sector for tents, medicines, fuel and long-term flood mitigation. While seasonal waters have receded in past years, last season’s deluge lingered for months, underscoring the urgency of coordinated action.