At least 15 people have died and over 100 are missing after devastating landslides struck six villages in eastern Uganda, particularly in the Bulambuli district, following heavy rains on Wednesday night. The Uganda Red Cross reported that 13 bodies have been recovered, while local authorities anticipate the death toll could rise to 30 as rescue efforts continue. The landslides buried approximately 40 homes, with many victims being children, according to local media reports.
The prime minister's office issued a disaster alert, highlighting the severe impact of the heavy rains that have affected various regions of Uganda. Roads have been rendered impassable due to mud, complicating rescue operations. Rescue teams are utilizing bulldozers to assist in the search for missing individuals, while local residents are seen digging through the mud in desperate attempts to find survivors.
In addition to the landslides, the heavy rainfall has caused significant damage to infrastructure, including the washing away of a bridge and the flooding of the Tangi River in the northwest, which has led to further rescue challenges. The ongoing rainy season, exacerbated by the El Niño climate phenomenon, has resulted in more severe weather patterns across East Africa, raising concerns about future disasters.
