Heavy rains have triggered devastating landslides in eastern Uganda, leaving at least 13 dead and dozens more feared buried under tons of mud and debris, Al Jazeera reports.
The Uganda Red Cross Society reported Thursday that the landslides, which struck six villages in the mountainous Bulambuli district overnight, completely buried an estimated 40 homes.
The disaster struck villages including Masugu and Kimono, around a five-hour drive from the capital, Kampala. Graphic images and videos circulating on social media depict the horrifying scale of the destruction, showing vast expanses of earth covering homes and ongoing rescue efforts. Local residents are seen frantically digging through the mud in a desperate search for survivors.
The Uganda Red Cross is leading rescue operations, but with many still missing, the death toll is expected to climb significantly. The organization stated that the recovery effort is ongoing, hampered by the sheer volume of earth and the difficult terrain.
The heavy rainfall, which has affected much of the country, also caused significant flooding in northwest Uganda. A tributary of the Nile River overflowed its banks, prompting the prime minister’s office to issue a national disaster alert on Wednesday. The alert warned of widespread road closures, with major thoroughfares rendered impassable across the country. Emergency teams were deployed to rescue stranded motorists.
The situation remains particularly critical near Pakwach, where a road connecting Uganda to South Sudan was completely blocked. Emergency boat crews are working to assist stranded individuals in the area.
