More than 300 households at Arukulong Trading Center in Zambia Parish, Oyam District, have been forced out of their homes after floods swept through the area along the Kamdini–Gulu highway.

The downpour, which began early on Saturday, unleashed massive destruction, collapsing houses, submerging shops, and washing away food supplies and household items. Crop gardens were also submerged, leaving residents stranded and uncertain about their next meal.

According to Godfrey Atim, the chairperson of the trading center, the flooding began on Saturday morning when heavy rains hit the area, bringing down grass-thatched and semi-permanent structures. Out of 360 households, he said 310 were affected, including a private primary school that was completely submerged.

The 58-year-old Atim described the disaster as unprecedented in his lifetime. “This thing, since I was born, I had never seen it until yesterday, and it was a shocker because it came with a lot of force. In just a minute, the entire area was flooded, and we thought maybe some Lake had burst its banks, but then we realized it was from the Myene swam, and it destroyed all our homes and properties.”

Many displaced families are now taking refuge with relatives and friends in nearby Arukulong village, although the only access road to the area was cut off by water two days ago. Atim appealed for urgent government and humanitarian support, warning that “locals will die from hunger” if no help arrives soon.

One of the affected residents, Brenda Ayena, lost all eight of her grass-thatched houses and is currently sheltering with her three children at a neighbor’s home. She says her biggest struggle is feeding her young children, “who cannot go a day without food.”

Another resident, Christine Otim, who serves as treasurer for a Village Savings Group, reported losing over 4 million shillings during the flash floods. The incident happened while she was attending a burial in a nearby village. Otim suspects that the money, stored in two shopping bags inside a metallic box, “must have been stolen by first responders who were salvaging household items.” She fears the reaction of group members, particularly those whose property was not damaged.

Earlier this year, Oyam District leaders had cautioned residents living near wetlands to consider relocating to safer ground due to the persistent heavy rainfall in the region.

District authorities have since confirmed that the disaster has been reported to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) for immediate intervention. Oyam Resident District Commissioner James Shilaku said relief measures are being discussed.

Meanwhile, Moses Opio, the District Environmental Officer, attributed the frequent flooding to human activities that disrupt natural water flow. He warned that unless such practices are stopped, “the entire district could soon be underwater.”

Similar incidents occurred last year in Abok Sub-County, where intense rains between August and September caused severe flooding that destroyed acres of farmland and displaced 149 households. The floods later spread to other parts of Oyam District, prompting the OPM to provide assistance to 793 victims, including 20 tons of beans and maize flour.