At least 16 people have died and others are missing after flash flooding and landslides in mountainous areas of Bundibugyo district, Western Uganda on 07 December.
Government officials said 12 bodies have been recovered, but many more are feared missing. Red Cross later reported 16 bodies had been recovered.
Uganda Red Cross said: “Our team continues to recover more bodies including some that are trapped by cocoa trees in Bundibugyo hills. It is a very devastating moment. We have deployed a Psycho Social Support team to offer emotional support to those affected.”
Local media report that around 30 homes have been destroyed.
Images shared on Social Media showed houses destroyed or damaged in the town of Kirindi in Busaru Sub County, Bundibugyo District. Affected areas were covered in rocks, mud and flood debris. Uganda Red Cross said Kirinid is among the worst hit areas.
Landslides and floods in Bundibugyo district during November affected around 4,000 people and destroyed almost 350 homes.
The flooding in Western Region follows similar devastating floods and landslides in Bududa and Sironko Districts in Eastern Region on 03 December, 2019.
Social Media
Our team continues to recover more bodies including some that are trapped by cocoa trees in Bundibugyo hills. It is a very devastating moment. We have deployed a Psycho Social Support team to offer emotional support to those affected.@IFRCAfrica @opmdpm @Parliament_Ug @GovUganda pic.twitter.com/3N5zknOHUd
— Uganda Red Cross Soc (@UgandaRedCross) December 8, 2019
Our Response action team in Bundibugyo is up and running. So far 16 bodies retrieved.
We are doing dead body management to ensure dignity of those claimed by the tragedy. Thanks to our volunteers (RCATs) in action. @opmdpm @IFRCAfrica @IFRC_DREF @robert_kwesiga @inakasiita1 pic.twitter.com/0NDPIVCqwo— Uganda Red Cross Soc (@UgandaRedCross) December 8, 2019
