2010 Ugandan landslide
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Uganda landslide occurred in the district of Bududa
in eastern Uganda
on 1 March 2010. The landslide
was triggered by heavy rain
between 12 pm and 7 pm that day. At least 100 people were believed to have been killed.
stated that rescuers had recovered 50 bodies, whilst a Ugandan government minister has put the death toll at over 100. The chairman of the eastern Bududa district suggested that the death toll could be as high as 300. Hundreds more people are missing and presumed dead, including up to 60 children who took refuge in a nearby health centre that was subsequently destroyed.
, including Nameti, Kubewo, and Nankobe. with 85 homes being destroyed in Nameti. Many areas in the affected villages were buried by the landslides, with houses, markets, and a church destroyed; many roads were also blocked. Officials and aid workers have warned that there may be further landslides, as heavy rain continues to fall in the region.
In Butaleja
, over 6,000 homes from the sub-counties
of Kachonga, Masimasa, Kimuntu and Nawangofu were affected by the rains, with two primary schools in Nabehere and Lubembe becoming flooded. The Mbale-Busolwa road was also closed due to flooding. The Red Cross expects further potential floods in the Moroto, Katakwi and Nakapiripirit districts of the country.
, a government minister, stated that a response team had been sent in to help with rescue efforts, whilst the Uganda Red Cross provided doctors. Michael Nataka, the Uganda Red Cross Secretary General, has also stated that the military has been called upon to aid in the rescue operation. Wanjusi Wasieba, a Bududa District Commissioner, said that the rescue effort was being hampered by the poor terrain of the region, which limits the ease of access for emergency vehicles.
The Minister of Disaster Preparedness, Musa Ecweru
, has advised people living on affected mountain slopes to evacuate. Those living in lower-lying, flood-prone areas have also been advised to move to safer locations.
Rescue workers had to use hand tools to dig through the mud in order to rescue survivors. The day following the landslide, soldiers and surviving villagers began rescue work. Military helicopters have begun ferrying survivors to an area 20 kilometers away.
s; however, parts of Uganda and neighbouring Kenya
have seen more rainfall than normal this year. Scientists have suggested that global climate change
is affecting rainfall patterns in East Africa
, with an increase in extreme and unexpected rainfall. Landslides are not uncommon in the region during the wet season, although the scale of this disaster has been described as more severe than even those. Deforestation
may have also played a role, said the Ugandan government. Dark green forest grows on the slope above the slide area. A strip of pale green land, free of settlements, separates the forest from the slide. This region had been deforested since 2007, according to the government analysis. On a steep slope, trees anchor the soil. Deforested mountains are very prone to landslides.
Bududa District
Bududa District is a district in Eastern Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Bududa.-Location:Bududa District is bordered by Sironko District to the north, the Republic of Kenya to the east, Manafwa District to the south and Mbale District to the west...
in eastern Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
on 1 March 2010. The landslide
Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
was triggered by heavy rain
Rain
Rain is liquid precipitation, as opposed to non-liquid kinds of precipitation such as snow, hail and sleet. Rain requires the presence of a thick layer of the atmosphere to have temperatures above the melting point of water near and above the Earth's surface...
between 12 pm and 7 pm that day. At least 100 people were believed to have been killed.
Casualties
A spokesman for the Ugandan Red CrossUganda Red Cross Society
Uganda Red Cross Society was founded in 1962 and previously it was part of the British Red Cross. It has its headquarters in Kampala.-External links:**...
stated that rescuers had recovered 50 bodies, whilst a Ugandan government minister has put the death toll at over 100. The chairman of the eastern Bududa district suggested that the death toll could be as high as 300. Hundreds more people are missing and presumed dead, including up to 60 children who took refuge in a nearby health centre that was subsequently destroyed.
Effects
The landslide struck villages on the slopes of Mount ElgonMount Elgon
Mount Elgon is an extinct shield volcano on the border of Uganda and Kenya, north of Kisumu and west of Kitale.- Physical features :It is the oldest and largest solitary volcano in East Africa, covering an area of around 3500 km²....
, including Nameti, Kubewo, and Nankobe. with 85 homes being destroyed in Nameti. Many areas in the affected villages were buried by the landslides, with houses, markets, and a church destroyed; many roads were also blocked. Officials and aid workers have warned that there may be further landslides, as heavy rain continues to fall in the region.
In Butaleja
Butaleja
Butaleja is a town in Eastern Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative and commercial center of Butaleja District and the district headquarters are located there. The district is named after the town.-Location:...
, over 6,000 homes from the sub-counties
Sub-counties of Uganda
||The counties of Uganda are divided into sub-counties, which are further divided into parishes and villages. The head elected official in a district is the Chairperson of the Local Council V.-References:subcounties...
of Kachonga, Masimasa, Kimuntu and Nawangofu were affected by the rains, with two primary schools in Nabehere and Lubembe becoming flooded. The Mbale-Busolwa road was also closed due to flooding. The Red Cross expects further potential floods in the Moroto, Katakwi and Nakapiripirit districts of the country.
Emergency response
Tarsis KabwegyereTarsis Kabwegyere
Tarsis Kabwegyere Bazana is a Ugandan sociologist, academic and politician. He served as the Minister of Disaster Relief & Planning in the Ugandan Cabinet, from 01 June 2006 until 27 May 2011. In the cabinet reshuffle of 27 May 2011, he was dropped from the cabinet and was replaced by Stephen...
, a government minister, stated that a response team had been sent in to help with rescue efforts, whilst the Uganda Red Cross provided doctors. Michael Nataka, the Uganda Red Cross Secretary General, has also stated that the military has been called upon to aid in the rescue operation. Wanjusi Wasieba, a Bududa District Commissioner, said that the rescue effort was being hampered by the poor terrain of the region, which limits the ease of access for emergency vehicles.
The Minister of Disaster Preparedness, Musa Ecweru
Musa Ecweru
Musa Francis Ecweru is a Ugandan accountant and politician. He is the current State Minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness in the Ugandan Cabinet. He was appointed to this position on 01 June 2006. In the cabinet reshuffle of 16 February 2009, and that of 27 May 2011, he retained his...
, has advised people living on affected mountain slopes to evacuate. Those living in lower-lying, flood-prone areas have also been advised to move to safer locations.
Rescue workers had to use hand tools to dig through the mud in order to rescue survivors. The day following the landslide, soldiers and surviving villagers began rescue work. Military helicopters have begun ferrying survivors to an area 20 kilometers away.
Causes
The landslides followed a period of unusually heavy rain in the region, which is known for its coffee production. The region's climatic conditions normally create a dry period between the wet seasonWet season
The the wet season, or rainy season, is the time of year, covering one or more months, when most of the average annual rainfall in a region occurs. The term green season is also sometimes used as a euphemism by tourist authorities. Areas with wet seasons are dispersed across portions of the...
s; however, parts of Uganda and neighbouring Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
have seen more rainfall than normal this year. Scientists have suggested that global climate change
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
is affecting rainfall patterns in East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
, with an increase in extreme and unexpected rainfall. Landslides are not uncommon in the region during the wet season, although the scale of this disaster has been described as more severe than even those. Deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
may have also played a role, said the Ugandan government. Dark green forest grows on the slope above the slide area. A strip of pale green land, free of settlements, separates the forest from the slide. This region had been deforested since 2007, according to the government analysis. On a steep slope, trees anchor the soil. Deforested mountains are very prone to landslides.