At least four people have died in Yei River County of Central Equatoria State after three days of heavy down pours accompanied by devastating storms caused flooding and landslide that left hundreds of homes destroyed, the commissioner said.

Agrey Cyrus Kanyikwa lamented that the torrential rains battered the area in early November this year.

“Yesterday (Saturday), 4th November 2023, Yei River County (was) assaulted with yet another massive devastation of people, properties and bridges being washed away,” Cyrus said.

He reported that over 300 houses and road infrastructures including bridges have been washed away or collapsed.

He further said several animals were killed while the bodies of two of the four people washed away have not been recovered.

“I want to thank the people who risked their lives to salvage many children whose houses were swallowed and were to be drowned and those who were drowned while attempting to cross rivers that bursted with overflows of water,” said the commissioner.

On Saturday, a heavy downpour hit several parts of Central Equatoria State including the capital Juba, leaving several residential areas including Mangateen and Hai Referendum flooded.

Yei Commissioner Agrey Cyrus further pleaded for help from well-wishers, the government and humanitarian agencies.

“I am calling on all children of Yei River County within Yei or South Sudan and those that are in diaspora, Humanitarian Agencies, the State and National Governments to contribute and support those families that are displaced by the rains.”

“They lost all house belongings, foods and shelters and bridges linking the people to essential services like healthcare, market access for food and school going children who are cut off from their classes, with any kind of humanitarian assistance in cash or materials.”