By Deng Machol
JUBA — South Sudan has issued a warning over possible severe flooding as rising water levels in Lake Victoria threaten to increase flows along the Nile River, putting Juba and several other communities at risk.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said forecasts from Uganda, the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre and its hydrological decision-support system indicate above-normal rainfall in the Lake Victoria basin, partly linked to El Niño conditions.
“The water levels in Lake Victoria are expected to reach record-high levels, prompting increased water releases downstream through the River Nile,” Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation James Mawich Makuac said in a statement.
According to the ministry, hydrological simulations suggest that increased flows could trigger severe riverine flooding across parts of South Sudan, threatening homes, infrastructure and livelihoods, particularly in low-lying communities along the Nile.
Juba is among the areas facing potential flooding. The ministry also identified Eastern Equatoria, Warrap, Upper Nile, Jonglei, Central Equatoria, Unity, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Lakes, Abyei, Pibor and Ruweng as areas that could be affected.
Although current water measurements along the Nile, from Nimule to Renk and from Nasir to Bentiu, remain below flood-alert levels, the ministry cautioned that conditions could deteriorate rapidly as additional water flows downstream.
The warning comes after reduced rainfall between June and September contributed to severe drought in parts of South Sudan, affecting livestock, agricultural production and access to water. The prospect of flooding presents a further challenge for communities already struggling with the effects of prolonged dry conditions.
The ministry has called on government institutions, local authorities and development partners to strengthen flood preparedness through improved early-warning systems, continuous monitoring of water levels and reinforcement of flood-control infrastructure, including dykes. It also stressed the need to protect water yards, boreholes and other critical water facilities from potential damage.
“The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, in collaboration with the relevant institutions and development partners, is to put in place some flood precautionary mitigation measures,” Makuac said.
Residents living along riverbanks and in flood-prone areas have been urged to remain vigilant and prepare to move to higher ground if necessary. Local authorities have also been directed to activate emergency flood task forces and strengthen community preparedness.
The ministry said it would submit a memorandum on the anticipated rise in water levels to the National Council of Ministers through the Economic Cluster, while maintaining close coordination with Ugandan authorities to monitor water releases and downstream flows.
With water levels expected to rise, authorities are urging communities to heed early warnings and take precautionary measures before flooding occurs.
