August 14, 2016 (MAYOM) - At least 22,000 people have been displaced due to heavy rainfall in Mayom county of Unity region, west of the state capital of newly created Northern Liech state, according to an official on the ground.

Heavy rain in July flooded the temporary shelters of displaced people at a UNMISS camp in Unity state’s Rubkotna area (Facebook photo)

John Bol Mayak, county commissioner of Mayom county, told Sudan Tribune that the situation is dire as majority of the surrounding villages and payams have been heavily flooded.

“As I speak to you now all houses in the surrounding areas have been occupied by the water, and thousands of people are displaced and they have nowhere to go,” he told Sudan Tribune over satellite phone interview.

He said areas submerged under water include Riak, Kuerbokni, Ruathnybol, Wangkei, Bieh, and Mayom headquarters, and described the situation as worse ever seen.

Commissioner Mayak added that most of the crops in those areas under current flood were all destroyed, adding the lives of the community members remain unpredictable after the heavy rainfall.

He further said that many of victims had no food after they lost everything in the current violence, adding most areas remain inaccessible putting the lives of the residents at great risk.

“A lot of people are now at great risk of death, the situation is very terrible no humanitarian organization intervention on the ground right now,” he said.

He explained that over 15 people have died as a result of Malaria outbreak and other waterborne diseases in the areas which are flooded by water.

“Many of [the] residents are dying every day, the health facilities on the ground are not enough and the long distance walk is putting at risk the people,” he said.

He called on the humanitarian organizations and other United Nations aid agencies in South Sudan to come and assist the tens of thousands who are in dire need for emergency assistance.

(ST)