FANGAK, SOUTH SUDAN
Catastrophic flooding has engulfed large parts of Fangak County in Jonglei State, displacing thousands of residents and cutting off essential services as humanitarian agencies rush to respond.
Heavy rains and a sudden dyke breach near Old Fangak at the end of August triggered widespread inundation, forcing families to flee their submerged homes.
The breach first reported on August 30, 2025 caused water from the Nile and surrounding swamps to pour into residential areas, destroying property, farmland, and vital infrastructure.
Massive Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis
According to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), over 1,000 residents were evacuated from Old Fangak after the dyke collapse. Across Jonglei State, an estimated 47,000 people have been displaced as the floodwaters continue to rise.
Local officials and aid groups report that entire villages are now underwater. Families have taken refuge on rooftops, dykes, or makeshift rafts, while others have been ferried to higher ground using boats.
“People are stranded with no shelter, food, or clean water. The situation is dire and requires urgent international attention,” a Fangak community leader told The Dawn newspaper.
Infrastructure and Health Facilities Underwater
The floods have also crippled essential services. MSF’s hospital in Old Fangak which was already affected by earlier damage has now been completely flooded and remains closed.
Health workers are struggling to reach stranded patients as all major access roads are impassable.
In some villages, schools have been turned into temporary shelters, while others remain submerged.
The education sector, already weakened by years of conflict and poverty, faces further setbacks as classrooms are lost to water.
Food Insecurity and Livelihood Losses
Local farmers report extensive damage to crops and grazing lands, deepening the region’s hunger crisis. Thousands of livestock have drowned, and food supplies are dwindling rapidly.
“Our sorghum fields and cattle are gone. We are left with nothing but water,” said one resident from Toch East, one of the hardest-hit areas.
Humanitarian agencies warn that the combination of flooding, displacement, and food scarcity could trigger a major health emergency, with rising risks of waterborne diseases such as cholera and malaria.
Limited Access Hampers Relief Efforts
Access to Fangak remains one of the biggest challenges. Most roads are flooded, leaving boats and air transport as the only viable means of reaching isolated communities.
Aid agencies are calling for urgent logistical support, including airlifts and fuel supplies, to scale up relief operations.
The local administration, together with NGOs, has begun constructing temporary dykes to prevent further water intrusion, but progress is slow due to limited equipment and persistent rainfall.
Weather Outlook and Satellite Updates
Recent satellite data indicates that the Nile Basin remains swollen, with more rainfall expected across northern Jonglei and Upper Nile regions over the coming week.
Experts warn that water levels could rise further if rain continues upstream in Ethiopia and Sudan, potentially worsening the crisis in Fangak.
Meteorological forecasts suggest moderate to heavy rainfall in parts of Jonglei through mid-October, meaning the threat of renewed flooding remains high.
Call for Urgent Action
Fangak’s local authorities are urging the national government and humanitarian partners to intensify rescue and relief operations before the situation deteriorates further.
“We need boats, food, medical aid, and emergency shelters now not later,” said a Fangak County official. “Our people are suffering.”
As water continues to rise, the residents of Fangak face a grim reality: homes lost, livelihoods destroyed, and an uncertain future in a region that has become one of South Sudan’s most flood-prone zones.
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