Another woman drowns in Ayod county leaving a 8-month old floating in a saucepan

Nov 16, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — A woman in Ayod County was swept by floodwaters leaving behind her child whom she had placed on a saucepan in Goek area near Jonglei canal in Ayod county.

Albino Gatkek, the deputy county’s Executive Director told local radio that the woman was trying to cross the canal using a rope when the flood waves overpowered her.

“The deceased Nyancien Biliu, with her baby, was trying to cross the Canal from the west to the east using a crossing rope tied to trees at both ends. But in the middle, floodwaters waves overpowered and washed her away.”

“Her 8-month-old baby survived because he was placed in a saucepan during the crossing,” he added.

The body of the deceased is yet to be recovered.

According to the county Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) coordinator, lack of a good transport system is the cause of the increase in the drowning incidents in the county.

He stressed that if there were means for the resident to cross the canal, such incidents can be prevented.

“Such incidents could be averted if they were boats for crossings in Ayod. Jonglei Canal is over flooded and the floodwaters waves are very powerful. So again, we appeal to the government and aid agencies to help us,” Gabriel Tot said.

Floods have continued to wreak havoc in the area leaving 10 people dead and hundreds of families displaced since September.

Last month, governor Denay Chagor urged the government the to pay more attention to the vulnerable people of Jonglei state as most of the areas had been affected by the floods.