The stations, vital for delivering news, information, and entertainment to the community, were left in disarray, sparking concern among listeners who now face a communication blackout.
On Friday, Nhomlaau FM in Malualkon, Aweil East County, suffered a severe blow when its tower was damaged by a fierce storm. The station, which had been neglected for years after Internews withdrew support, was undergoing repairs by the Action for Children Development Organisation (ACDF) when the unexpected storm struck, catching the community off guard.
Just two days later, on Sunday, May 25, 2025, Akol Yam FM 91.0, the only community radio station relocated from Malualkon to Aweil Town by Internews, also succumbed to a similar fate. Renamed after its move, Akol Yam FM had been a cornerstone for the local population, broadcasting news, music, and educational programs. A powerful storm, accompanied by heavy rainfall, brought down its tower, halting operations entirely.
Residents expressed deep frustration over the loss of their primary source of local information. Adut Akec, a devoted listener of Akol Yam FM, voiced her dismay at the sudden disruption.
“It is outrageous that the station is off-air as the entire tower, including its antenna, is completely down. We don’t know where to get information, music, and other updates. This is a critical time to hear from our leaders, with so much happening in our country and state in particular,” she said.
She emphasised the station’s role in keeping the community informed about local governance and development, underscoring the void its absence creates.
Akec also highlighted the financial hurdles facing the station’s recovery. “It would be imperative if it were fixed soon. But they face a funding challenge, which worries many people. They called for fundraising some time back, and now the radio tower has been demolished by the wind. It is terrible,” she said, reflecting the community’s growing concern about the feasibility of restoring the station without external support.
Dut Aken Bol, another local resident, offered a different perspective, pointing to potential structural issues as a contributing factor.
“Perhaps the foundation was poorly built, who knows. We heard of a similar issue with Nhomlaau FM 88.0, which was about to be revived. This is so strange,” he said, suggesting that inadequate construction may have left the towers vulnerable to the storm’s intensity.
Bol called on the state government to intervene and provide financial assistance to revive the stations. “It would be appreciated by every living soul if the government steps in and provides funds to bring the station back to life,” he urged, emphasising the station’s importance to community cohesion and information access.
The collapse of both stations has left residents grappling with a sense of isolation, as the stations were key platforms for local voices and cultural expression.
Efforts to contact the station manager for comment were unsuccessful at the time of writing, leaving many questions about the timeline and resources needed for repairs unanswered.
