8 dead, scores missing as landslides wash away houses in Bulambuli

At least eight bodies have so far been recovered from the mud with more residents reported missing after multiple landslides hit Musugu village in Bulunganya Subcounty in Bulambuli District in Elgon sub region.
                                             
The landslides triggered by heavy rains that started at around 10am up to 6pm on Wednesday also buried 20 houses and washed away crops and livestock.
 Ms Sarah Madada, the district Natural Resources officer, who is also the secretary of the district disaster management committee, said locals have exhumed eight bodies so far.

“The number of people feared to be dead is not yet known but the locals have so far recovered eight bodies,” Ms Madada, said.
She said there is an urgent need for the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to join the district in conducting rapid needs assessment as soon as possible.

Most of the victims are children.
“The people need to be evacuated from risky areas with immediate effect, given that the rains are continuing. The situation is appalling and requires immediate responses,” she said.
Mr Wilson Nasina, one of the affected residents said they are homeless and still living in fear because the heavy rains are still pounding the area.

“We are homeless because our houses have been destroyed and others have houses that are adjacent to where the landslides occurred and will also be buried. People living there need to be relocated,” he said.

Ms Annet Nandudu, the LCV chairperson of Bulambuli said the displaced are homeless and in dire need of assistance. 
“The situation demands prompt attention with food and other essential supplies needed to help survivors cope,” he said.
This is not the first time landslides have hit the district. 
In October, this year, landslides occurred in Namisuni Sub-county displacing hundreds of locals in several villages and also destroyed crops and livestock.