Dry Season Water Shortage Leaves Kilo Ashara Residents Struggling Amid Rising Population

Residents of Kilo Ashara, also known as Nyamana Boma of Wun-Amum Payam in Melut County, Northern Upper Nile State, are facing a severe water shortage amid the ongoing dry season. The situation has been worsened by the increasing number of returnees and refugees currently residing in the area.

The crisis has forced many residents to spend more than five days searching for water without success. Kilo Ashara is an area where oil pipelines pass through, and the land is allocated strictly for settlement, leaving no room for other activities such as drilling boreholes for community use. The area is under the control of SUDD Company, which is contracted to provide residents with clean drinking water.

Speaking to Aweil News Agency, the Director of SUDD Company at Adar Base Camp, Mr. Isaac Akuoch Chol, said the water shortage in Kilo Ashara is mainly due to the rapid population increase. He explained that the company currently has only one water truck serving the area, which supplies water twice a week, leaving residents without water on other days.

“We noticed the water shortage in Kilo Ashara recently after receiving reports earlier this January. Solving the problem will take some time because the population has grown significantly. We therefore ask our citizens to be patient as we work to address the issue gradually,” Mr. Akuoch said.