Ethiopia offered Wednesday its deepest condolences to Uganda over the victims of floods that cut off Mbale City after several rivers burst their banks as a result of heavy rains that started on Saturday.
The disaster destroyed several property and crops as well as killing dozens of people. By Wednesday, the death toll in the Mbale flash floods had risen to 29.
Now, while meeting
President Yoweri Museveni at State House, Entebbe, the Ethiopian Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Alemtsehay Meseret Gelaw, conveyed to President Museveni and the people of Uganda her condolences upon the demise of victims attributing the incident to global warming.
“Your Excellency, I also wish to extend to you and to the people of Uganda my condolences upon the death of some Ugandans in the floods. This is partly because of climate change,” H.E Alemtsehay told the President at State House where the two convened to discuss bilateral matters pertaining Uganda and Ethiopia.
While addressing reporters on Tuesday, Refugees and Disaster Preparedness Minister, Hillary Onek said the floods swept away 14 bridges, nine cars and three motorcycles.
Nine institutions of learning were either partially or fully damaged alongside three health centres.
More than 700 domestic animals, 4,500 poultry were killed and 15 fish ponds were destroyed, according to the government statistics.
Onek said at least 800 households have been affected by the floods, with 80 houses damaged, leaving thousands homeless.
Rivers Nabuyonga, Namatala, Nashibiso and Napwoli burst their banks after constant downpour lasting more than a week loosened soils and created a deluge of runoff water from the mountain slopes.
Residents said the more intense rain that caused the flash floods started at 10pm on Saturday and ended Sunday afternoon.
The districts most affected by the disaster include Mbale, Kapchorwa, Bulambuli, Manafwa, Sironko and Namisindwa, all prone to rainfall havoc due to their location on the foot of Mt Elgon.
Mbale City also reported major damages to humans and infrastructure.
“The most affected areas were in Mbale City, with more deaths recorded, vehicles damaged, houses, schools and livestock destroyed, among others,” Onek said.
The runoff water also destroyed vast farmlands of cereals, vegetables, banana plantations, tomatoes, onions, coffee, rice and cabbage.
Government estimated flattened gardens at 5,000 acres.