At least 70 people, mostly children and the elderly, have died due to heavy floods in Boma States since October, an official disclosed. The deputy governor, John Abulla said the greater Likuangule, Pibor, Kubal and Pochalla were the most flood affected areas. “But the death toll from floods in those areas could rise as some areas are completely cut off from the rest of the state. So, we do not have details, but the death toll stands at 70,” he said. Abulla also pointed out that nearly 500,000 people in parts of the state are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. “According to an assessment that was conducted by the government, national and international aid agencies last week, 400,000 people were identified as the most affected. They lack food, health services and shelter,” he explained. Abulla urged aid agencies in the country to intervene. According to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), more than 908,000 people have been affected by heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding, of whom 620,000 people need immediate humanitarian assistance. Last month, President Salva Kiir declared a state of emergency in all the flood-affected areas.
